Curated OER
The Man in the White Suit
High schoolers view and discuss the movie from 1951 "The Man in the White Suit" and how scientific discoveries can sometimes have negative social and economic consequences. They define key vocabulary terms from the movie, watch the...
Curated OER
Issues in Genomics
Learners explore the definition of ethics and genomics. In this organism lesson students participate in the chosen teacher lesson.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
DNA Extraction
What does your DNA actually look like? Use simple materials with this experiment to find out! Geneticists of all ages can follow these instructions to extract their own DNA. For learners who are hoping to extend the activity, there are...
Curated OER
Biotechnology and The Chocolate Milk Cow
Students discuss new discoveries that have resulted from the use of recombinant DNA technology and otehr biotechnology. In groups, they create a transgenic cow capable of producing chocolate-flavored milk.
Curated OER
Do we Really Need Wild Nature
Students research challenges with which modern biotechnology confronts wild nature. Students collect articles that relate to biotechnology and the environment. Students prepare a collaborative answer to the question, "Do we really need...
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: Genetic Engineering
A tutorial on genetic engineering. Students work their way through illustrations and animated tutorials about how genetic modification works and the ethical issues surrounding this scientific practice. The last two sections have...
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics
Utilizing the developments in transgenic biotechnology and genetic engineering for use in the medical fields raises ethical questions.
Nature Research
Scitable: Genetics and Society
Get an in-depth look at the ethical, legal, and social implications genetic technologies have on society. Explore the ethical considerations that genetics has on our society with the advances in genetically-tailored treatments, genetic...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Technology and Ethics
Investigate the meaning of ethics and morality as applied to technology and scientific advances. Research various issues related to scientific, technological and medical advances in the past decade and take a stand on each.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Primer on Ethics and Crossing Species Boundaries
Examine boundaries between science and ethics as scientists work with genetic testing and discovery.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues of Biotechnology
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes some of the ethical, legal, and social issues of biotechnology.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Religion and Ethics Weekly: Dr. Francis S. Collins Interview
Read a discussion with Francis S. Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, who touches on the role that faith plays in his profession. Collins discusses the Human Genome Project and its goals and results, genetic disorders, and the...
PBS
Pbs Bloodlines: Technology Hits Home
This site is a must see for any lesson or unit on biotechnology! It is a companion to the PBS video "Bloodlines: Technology Hits Home," although it can certainly be used without the video. It's a fantastic site that will challenge...
Biotechnology Institute
Biotechnology Institute: Your World: The Secret of How Life Works [Pdf]
In this Biotechnology Institute issue, get a glimpse the ethical implications of work done on the study of DNA and genetics.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations are discussed in an article about the scientific ability to create "designer babies." Identify safety, moral use, effect on society, and whether it is for enhancement or therapy when humans have the option to...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Genetics
This site from American Museum of Natural History focuses on Genetics. It defines genetics and provides links to games, stories, videos, and hands-on activities on the topic.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Genetic Testing: Lesson 3
This lesson will describe how diseases can be predicted by genetic testing, which is cause for ethical discussion. It is 3 of 3 in the series titled "Genetic Testing."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Genetic Testing: Lesson 1
This lesson will describe how diseases can be predicted by genetic testing, which is cause for ethical discussion. It is 1 of 3 in the series titled "Genetic Testing."
Georgetown University
Georgetown Univ.: Scope Note 24, Human Gene Therapy
Georgetown University site with a lengthy article on many aspects of gene therapy. Includes background and historical information and numerous resources on the topic. Focus here is on the ethics of these types of therapies.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Human Genome Project Overview
Explains the goals of the Human Genome Project. It also explains some of the ethical, legal and social challenges associated with this new technology.
Biotechnology Institute
Biotechnology Institute: Your World: Gene Therapy [Pdf]
The articles in this biotechnology magazine will help students understand the benefits of gene therapy, while encouraging them to think about the challenges of defining its ethical use.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Abpi: Biotechnology
Students read through a complete, interactive lesson on biotechnology. An activity at the end allows students to research and present arguments for or against statements about the ethics of gene therapy and gene manipulation.
PBS
Pbs Bloodlines: Making Precedent
Excellent site where students are challenged to read several case studies and make choices about what they would do in the situation. After they choose they are presented with some of the consequences that their decision may produce in...
Other
Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Human Stem Cell Research [Pdf]
A recent study in which the authors examined the health and ethical issues related to human stem cell research. As a result of this study, Canada did allow human stem cell research to proceed. The report is in PDF format.