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Workshop Detail: Monday, July 20, 2009
(9-12): Exploring Bioethics
presented by
Peggy Deichstetter
Curriculum Developed by NIH and the Education Development Center
Engage students in a new approach to examining biomedical practices, such as genetic testing, and developing their own well-justified positions on the ethical issues involved.
This workshop introduces inquiry-based lessons for high school students designed to hone ethical reasoning skills by exploring current controversies in biomedicine. The activities are from "Exploring Bioethics," a curriculum supplement developed by the National Institutes of Health and the Education Development Center, Inc.
The session starts with a card shuffling activity that highlights the differences between ethical, scientific, and legal questions, and areas of personal preference. Participants then explore the ethical considerations of allowing a disabled athlete with special prosthetic legs to complete in the Olympics. The concepts of fairness and respect are featured. Next participants explore two case studies that highlight the issues around deciding to be tested for a genetic disease. The issues of balancing harms and benefits and respect for persons are discussed here. The session closes with an overview of strategies for facilitating rich ethics discussions in the science classroom.
A new model for exploring bioethics was developed for these lessons. Participants gain practice in utilizing this model. This module and all NIH curriculum supplements are free to teachers nationwide.
Summer Institute, a component of the MIDAS Project, is supported by a