INCORPORATING BIOETHICS IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOMA Capstone Project

Janelle Roberts

Wilkes University 2010

WHY SHOULD WE EXPOSE STUDENTS TO BIOETHICS? Rapidly developing biotechnologies imply that students have

already been affected by or will have first hand experience with ethical issues such as cloning, genetic research, and assisted reproductive technologies.

Science standards ask that students see and experience science as a human endeavor, one that is subject to fallacy and error, and where scientific judgment may be impacted by an individual’s personal values.

Students need exposure to the biases that exist in experimentation and technological design.

Benefits of Using Case Studies to Introduce Ethics to Students

Development and Practice of Reading Strategies•Opportunity to create dynamic/flexible groups by pairing low readers with advanced readers. •Practice reading, organizing and disseminating large amounts of information.

Authentic Learning Opportunity•Connection to true-life events and individuals.•Apply decision making skills expected of citizens.

Development of Inquiry Skills•After reading a study and recording what facts are provided, students must reflect upon what additional information is needed and form their own questions that when refined, will naturally lead them to ask more questions.•Learning becomes more personal because students are researching answers to their own questions.

STUDENT IMPACT

Exposure to Ethical Case

Studies

Strengthen the idea that scientific

questions cannot be answered with

emotional arguments, but require analysis

of relevant facts.

Development of HOT skills by analyzing

data and distinguishing between

relevant information and that which can be

discarded.

Sharpen research skills through the

practice of establishing and

refining questions.

Understand that advances in

sciences encroach on the moral and ethical values of

society.

Learn that scientists, when

conducting experiments, must

consider ethical codes as well as

scientific methods.

OBJECTIVES

I. Student Centered

Aside from the initial introduction of the topic as well as the details of the project, students will be working in groups, teams or pairs to complete the tasks of each project. In certain assignments, students will be allowed to choose the roles that they participate in.

II. Using InformationEach ethical issue will ask students to gather information and discern what is relevant and what is not. This information is critical because students will not be allowed to make final decisions based on their personal feelings alone. They will always need to support their reasoning with the information they have gathered.

III. Teacher as Facilitator

I will be guiding students through their learning and will NOT give them my personal opinion on any issue they are working with. I will lead them to new sources of information and make suggestions as to the types of questions they need to be asking but will refrain from giving out answers. It is likely that class discussions about bioethics will lead to some emotional comments. As facilitator, it will be necessary to remind students of the facts that we KNOW and make decisions based on that rather than making conclusions based on assumptions.

OBJECTIVES CONT.

IV. Higher Order Thinking

Each bioethics project students encounter will ask them to learn or become familiar with a basic set of skills and knowledge but from there they will need to analyze those facts and synthesize a decision, action or authentic artifact that demonstrates their understanding of the topic.

V. Interdisciplinary

The introductory bioethics unit will involve the Tuskegee Syphilis Study as well as the controversy surrounding the use of HeLa cells. Both case studies make historical connections to racism and equality. There also exists similarities between these experiments and those conducted by the Nazis during WWII and their misconceptions of the eugenics movement.

VI. Collaboration

Students will be working in teams to create common performance assessments. For example, in the Lakeville Landfill Scenario, students will gather information and research questions on their own and then come together with the rest of their group to review what they have learned. From here, they will make a unanimous decision to either open or close a school and base their rationale on three relevant facts.

OBJECTIVES CONT.

VII. Performance Based Assessments/Authentic Tasks

Performance tasks included in this capstone are: Public Service Announcement, Bulletin, Genetic Counselor Report, Cover Letter, PowerPoint Presentation, Mock Trial, Business Letter

VIII. Multiple Sources of InformationStudents will be expected to gather their information not only from Google searches but from organizations such as the Dolan DNA Learning Center, National Institutes of Health, local business and community members and supplemental journal readings available through our school library

IX. Technology Integration

Anticipated technology includes internet research, Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher, “Cover it Live”, Blogging via teacher website, use of student Diigo accounts, Audacity software for PSA production, online magazine articles and radio broadcasts available through NPR.

OBJECTIVES CONT.

X. Learning How to Learn

Most, if not all, of these projects are inquiry based in nature and thus require students to formulate their own questions. The research and answers to the questions then becomes more meaningful since students are responding to their own inquiries. Repeated exposure to this type of pedagogy encourages students to want to learn for themselves.

XI. Addressing the Learning Styles of all Learners

Within each project students have the opportunity to act as researchers, develop written reports, and narrate presentations and design letterheads and presentations. The various components will appeal to auditory, visual, kinesthetic and hand-on learners.

XII. Students Acting as Professionals In the Lakeville Landfill Scenario, students assume the role of

school board members who must address their community about whether or not they will close a school near a toxic landfill.

In the Genetics Project, students will become genetic counselors that assemble a professional report for prospective parents that are carriers for an assigned genetic disorder.

IMPLEMENTATION

• Introduction of the topic:• What is ethics and how does it relate to scientific research? Facilitate class discussion and inform students they will be

reading two case studies. Give background history of both studies.(1-2 days)• Instruct students to read HeLa article and listen to NPR broadcasts about Tuskegee study. (1 day and complete for homework)• Facilitate class discussion about readings. Connect to history of racism and Nazi opinion of eugenics. (1 day)• Introduce PR project to students, assign groups/roles and progress monitor as students complete project. (2-3 days)

September: Approximately the third week of school after reviewing the scientific method.

The time requirements are spread across the school year, with students encountering ethical issues at key units in the curriculum. The first and third tasks require 5-7 days to complete. Students are given two weeks to complete the genetics task since the work is conducted independently, outside of school and because there is a peer-sharing component.

PROJECTS, ASSESSMENTS AND RUBRICS (PAR)

Tuskegee Study and HeLa Ethics Case 1: Fair Treatment of Test Subjects in Experimentation

Day 1Students are introduced to the study of ethics. They will hear that although we will ask tough questions, our discussions will not be “free-for –alls” . As a class we will examine the facts that are given to us, and as in all inquiry, decide what we know, what we need to know and where we should go from there.

Days 2 and 3Students will be instructed to read an article on HeLa cells and listen to two radio podcasts regarding the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. A class discussion will follow that includes a background of these two topics.

Henrietta Lacks Story

Remembering Tuskegee

Tuskegee Apology

HeLa cells undergoing mitosis. Nuclei are in red and the blue-stained protein is one that regulates cell division. Matthew Daniels, Wellcome Images

PAR – CONT.

Days 2-3 continued Extension of the class discussion will be conducted on

blog page of teacher website. Possible questions for discussion:

In what ways were the practices of the Tuskegee study racist? Would you have made the same ethical decisions as Eunice

Rivers? Despite the guidelines and regulations created to protect human

subjects, do you think this will assure that future research causes no ethical concerns?

If the PHS had obtained informed consent from the patients would this have erased questions about the study being ethical?

The blog will not be a graded assignment. Students will not be required to participate, instead, it will be a voice for those students who would like time to discuss the topic further.

PAR – CONT.

Days 4,5,6 – Project Introduction and CreationAfter completing all readings and participating in the discussions, students will assume one of the following roles and complete the task that accompanies it.

1. You are one of the Public Health Service doctors providing medical care to the patients of the Syphilis Study. Recently, the PHS has called for your resignation, claiming you have acted unethically. Compose a business letter to your superiors defending your actions in the study. Provide at least 3 reasons why you think your judgments were ethically sound. You may also write this letter from the view of Eunice Rivers.

2. You are the family member of a man who is participating in the Syphilis Study. You have just learned that treatment is being withheld from the patients. Create a public service announcement urging the public to question the nature of the study. Submit a written draft of your message and include at least 3 facts that support your claim that the study is unethical.

CASE 1 RUBRIC - LETTER

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Content Accuracy The letter contains 3 accurate

facts that support your judgment.

The letter contains 2 accurate facts that support your judgment.

The letter contains 1 accurate fact that supports your judgment.

The letter contains no accurate facts to support your judgment.

Salutation and Closing Salutation and closing have no errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and closing have 1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and closing have 3 or more errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and/or closing are missing.

Grammar & spelling (conventions)

Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling.

Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar and/or spelling.

Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling

Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling.

Sentences & Paragraphs Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure.

All sentences are complete and well-constructed (no fragments, no run-ons). Paragraphing is generally done well.

Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work.

Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work.

Teacher Comments

CASE 1 RUBRIC - PSA

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Delivery Well-rehearsed with smooth

delivery that holds audience attention. PSA can be easily heard. Voice inflections are appropriate.

Rehearsed with fairly smooth delivery that holds audience attention most of the time. PSA is heard and inflections are appropriate.

Delivery not smooth, but able to maintain interest of the audience most of the time. PSA is hard to hear and inflections are distracting.

Delivery not smooth and audience attention often lost. PSA cannot be heard and the delivery is distracting.

Content Covers topic in-depth with details and 3 examples. Excellent evidence of research and planning.

Includes essential knowledge about the topic with only 2 examples. Research and planning appear to be good.

Includes information about the topic but there is only 1 example. Limited evidence of research and planning.

No examples are given to support the project and there is no evidence of research and planning.

Mechanics No misspellings or grammatical errors present in the written draft.

Three or fewer misspellings and/or mechanical errors in the written draft.

Four misspellings and/or grammatical errors in the written draft.

More than 4 errors in spelling or grammar in the written draft.

Tone The announcement does an excellent job of reporting facts and does not become accusatory.

The announcement does a good job of reporting the facts and does not become accusatory.

The announcement reports few facts and is somewhat biased and accusatory.

The announcement is completely emotional in nature. It is biased and accusatory.

PAR – CONT.

Understanding Genetic TestingEthics Case 2: To Have a Family?

1. Prior to completing this project, students will have completed background instruction on pedigrees, punnett squares, genetic probabilities and will have had a general survey of human genetic disease. This project will provide them the opportunity to demonstrate what they know as well as decide whether or not to continue with planning a family after interpreting the results of a genetic report.

2. Students will choose one scenario (see next slide) from the list provided and conduct independent research to create a technical report that includes the causes, symptoms and treatments for the disease. They will also, based on the family history and their knowledge of genetics, identify the probability that a child will have the disease in question and convey this through punnett squares and pedigrees. Students are instructed to NOT make a suggestion as to have children or not. They are strictly reporting on the facts.

3. Accompanying their report, is a cover letter that briefly outlines their findings. It also provides their company’s name in letterhead, business address, and contact information.

Example Scenarios for Genetics Project

You have just married. You and your spouse are healthy but your husband's brother has two children with sickle cell anemia and your sister has the same disease. You are thinking of having children and have sought the advice of a genetic counselor. Your income: $51,000 Insurance: none

Gloria, 19, is married to Robert, 21, and they wish to start a family. Both of Gloria's parents are healthy (Sonia, 39, and Todd, 40). However, Gloria's grandfather died at the age of 43 after being diagnosed with Huntington's disease. Gloria and Robert have many questions and seek out a genetic counselor for information. They would like to know if they could be carriers and the chance that their children might be infected.Income: $52,000. Insurance: both, through employers

You and your wife have just lost a child to Tay-Sachs disease. You were referred to a genetic counselor before deciding to have more children.Your income: $75,000 Insurance: none

Jim, 32, and Tammy, 28, have had two healthy children: Twila, age 3 and Terry, age 5. They have, however, recently discovered some background news about Tammy's family that concerns them. They have just found out that a brother of Tammy's, who was confined to a wheelchair by age 10, has Muscular Dystrophy. They would love to have a family of four children. Genetic counseling is available.Income: $80,000 Insurance: 50% coverage

This is not a complete list

PAR – CONT.

4. The teacher will collect the student’s counselor reports. They will be reviewed for evidence of clarity, organization and content. They will not, however, be graded at this time. The following day, the teacher will randomly distribute the reports so that no student has his or her own project.

5. The students will now take on the role of the parents described in the scenario and review the genetic counselor’s report. From this information they will make a decision as to whether or not they choose to continue with planning a family. Once a decision has been made, the student will write a letter to any member of their family explaining their reasoning. In this letter, they must show evidence of the following:

a. consideration to the family’s income and insurance coverage

b. a sophisticated understanding of the genetics report by citing example information

GENETIC COUNSELOR REPORT/LETTER RUBRIC

CATEGORY 5 3 2 1 Scientific Concepts Report illustrates an accurate

and thorough understanding of scientific concepts underlying the genetic disease and the role of the genetic counselor.

Report illustrates an accurate understanding of most scientific concepts underlying the genetic disease and the role of the genetic counselor.

Report illustrates a limited understanding of scientific concepts underlying the genetic disease and the role of the genetic counselor.

Report illustrates inaccurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the genetic disease and the role of the genetic counselor.

Components of the report

All required elements are present. This includes: cover letter, symptoms, causes, treatments. Additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added.

All required elements are present

One required element is missing but there was elaboration on the existing pieces.

Several required elements are missing.

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

One or fewer errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Two or three errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Four errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

More than 4 errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Background Sources At least 5 reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.

3 reputable background sources are used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.

Less then 3 background sources are used and cited correctly, but some are not reputable sources. Material is translated into student's own words.

Material is directly copied rather than put into students own words and/or background sources are cited incorrectly.

Punnett Squares, Pedigrees, Karyotypes, Other

Clear, accurate diagrams are included and make the experiment easier to understand. Diagrams are labeled neatly and accurately.

Diagrams are included and convey accurate information. They are labeled neatly and accurately.

Diagrams are included and are labeled but some convey inaccurate or incomplete information

Needed diagrams are missing OR are missing important labels. The information they contain is inaccurate.

Cover Letter The cover letter is professional in nature, includes contact information and summarizes the important information for the parents. A clear statement about the family's genetic probability is present.

The cover letter is professional in nature and includes contact information but does not summarize all of the important information. A statement about the family's genetic probability is present.

The cover letter is somewhat professional and does not include all of the important information. A statement about the family's genetic probability is missing.

The cover letter lacks professionalism or is absent. There is not summary of important information and the probability statement is missing.

PAR – CONT.

Lakeville LandfillEthics Case 3: Protecting the Children

Students read a scenario about the hazards of sending children to a school that is next to a landfill. It requires students to role play school board members and the parent community.

Students will engage in both flexible and dynamic grouping, collaborate on a variety of authentic tasks and create meaningful artifacts as a way to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

Students will be presenting their work to the class from the perspective of the school board. The audience will participate in a “Cover it Live” discussion. Here they will make comments from the perspective of community members as to whether or not they support the decision of their school board. This task will not be graded but will allow the teacher to gauge the level of understanding in the classroom as well as challenge students to be active listeners.

Their work concludes with a peer/self assessment. The scenario and instructions can be found at the link below.

Lakeville Landfill

YEAR-LONG FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Throughout the school year, students will be expected to keep an

ethics journal. Currently, they record classroom labs in a composition book so I will ask them to reserve the second half for their entries.

Purpose: To provide the teacher a means to gauge student growth in

appreciating and understanding that values and ethics are intertwined with scientific inquiry.

To examine the success of implementing bioethics into the classroom.

Expectations for Students: Read current science articles from newspapers, magazines, or online

sources and make journal entries that highlight the ethical issues that present themselves as well as provide their opinion on the topic. Students will journal 2 articles per month and save a copy of the article for their journal.

Requirements of Teacher1. Collect and review journals. Award 5 points for completion of each

entry. Review entries to gain a sense of where the student is at, not to assess right or wrong.

2. Choose 2-3 articles a month to discuss as a class.

RESOURCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS www.diigo.com

Student accounts used for organizing internet research

www.coveritlive.com A teacher account is

needed and discussion times must be set up in advance.

Student laptops, headsets and connection to school network

Access to teacher

website Microsoft Publisher Audacity software Microsoft PowerPoint Clipart courtesy of

discovery education Information on Ethics

courtesy of the Online Ethics Center

Readings and Radio Broadcastings

Henrietta LacksSkloot, R. (2000, April). Henrietta's dance. John

Hopkin's Magazine,

Tuskegee Syphilis StudyMorning Edition, NPR. (Producer). (2002).

Remembering tuskegee. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1147234

All Things Considered, NPR. (Producer). (1997). Tuskegee apology. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1039887