Biology TodayThird Edition

Chapter 1

Biology: Science and Ethics

Copyright © 2004 by Garland Science

Eli Minkoff • Pam Baker

Chapter 1

A. Properties of living things

list them and relate them to further materials

B. Scientific Method

subject matter and limitations

inductive vs. deductive

reasoning

(specific to general) (general to specific; if…

then)

Hypothesis:must be testable (falsifiable)

Experiments/observations test hypothesis

must be reproducible

must have appropriate controls

B. Scientific Method (cont)

Paradigm: framework

changes periodically with scientific revolution

Ethics:

deontological written code, individual

rights

emphasis on actions

(right vs wrong)

utilitarian greatest good for mostemphasis on consequences

Properties of living things: (pg 11)

Living things are organized (cells)Living things are metabolicLiving things respond to stimuliLiving things are homeostaticLiving things grow (biosynthesis)Living things contain genetic materialLiving things reproduceLiving things form populations

Why aren’t leaves green in the Fall?

What is science?

• a ongoing process• a way of knowing and investigating the

physical, natural world• based on observation and experimentation

and must be reproducible• involves inductive and deductive

reasoning

Scientific Method

Inductive reasoningspecifics to generalization

(Hypothesis)

Deductive reasoninggeneralization to specific predictions

(If/then statements)

Scientific Method

Hypothesis

“statement about the observable universe, formulated in such a way that it can be tested” (disproven) [BT3 pg. 2-3]

“This process is called the scientific method. In reality, few scientists adhere rigidly to this prescription.” (BT3, pg 4)

Science has limitations

• the physical, natural world• behavior of objects• can say nothing about the

“supernatural” or “spiritual”

What is science?

Method of investigation based on testing hypotheses

An example

Is an artificial sweetener

safe for humans to eat?

Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.

Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then micewhose diet contains 50% Sshould be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.

Is this a valid experiment?

No, it needs a “control” group

Data- Mice with cancer

% S #mice % with cancerin diet

0% 0/100 0 %50% 33/100 33 %

Conclusions?

Is an artificial sweetener

safe for humans to eat?

Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.

Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then mice whose diet contains 50% Sshould be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.

Is an artificial sweetener

safe for humans to eat?

Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.

Change hypothesis

Is an artificial sweetener

safe for humans to eat?

Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additivein low doses.

Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then mice whose diet contains small amountsof S should be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.

5%, 10%, 15%……

…..45%, 50%

Data- Mice with cancer% S #mice %

0% 0/100 0 “control”5% 0/100 0 experimental10% 0/100 0 experimental15% 2/100 2 experimental20% 5/100 5 experimental25% 15/100 15 experimental30% 20/200 20 experimental35% 23/100 23 experimental40% 25/100 25 experimental45% 28/100 28 experimental50% 30/100 30 experimental

Experiments

• Be as specific as you can with your hypothesis.• Be sure to include a “control” group.• Be careful with your conclusions.

• Do your data address ethical/moral issues?

Ethics

moral rules (laws)right vs. wrong

Promises…

…should be kept.

Parking laws…

…should be obeyed.

To park

or

not to park

?

How do we resolve moral conflict?

Different people may have different ethical systems

Deontological UtilitarianBased on traditions(e.g., written code)

often religiousBible, Koran, …

individual “rights”

Looks at consequences

the most good…for themost people

“ends justify the

means”?

Many societal (legal/political) decisions are based on a particular ethic

Two examples:

Use of animals in research

Use of people in research

Use of animals in research

Historically:

Animals are property

labor, food, companionship

Do animals have rights?

Use in experiments?

regulations

Use of people in research

Drug testing

Comparative studies

species differences

e.g. cholesterol

Informed consent

Review panels

Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)

Deontological argument foragainst

foragainst

Utilitarian argument

Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)

Deontological argument foragainst

foragainst

Utilitarian argument

Beating a horseUse canary in coal mineRaising cattle for human consumptionTesting drugs on prisoners

Quiz samples:

List characteristics….

Recognize inductive/deductivedeontological/utilitarian