Bioethics in High Schools: Why go there

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Bioethics in High Schools Why go there?

• Understand science in social context
• Develop character
• Encourage moral pluralism/tolerance through
  respectful debate
• Students are interested!
• Teachers are interested!

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Some Issues that Hook Students

• Gene Therapy
• Cloning
• Stem Cell Research
• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Technology

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Gene Therapy Curriculum Integration Ideas

• The scientific method and experimentation. 
• Basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology
  such as transcription and translation. 
• Basic virology. 
• Medical advances in treating disease. 
• Research regulations and public policy.

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Gene Therapy Key Moral Issues

• Case Study Gellsinger
• Informed consent
• Selection of subjects
• Conflict of interest

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ES Cell Research and Human Cloning Curriculum
Integration Ideas

• Developmental/Reproductive Biology
• Cell Biology
• Social Studies and History
• Theology Courses

6
ES Cell Research and Human Cloning Key Moral
Questions

• Why does this research matter to us?
• What is at stake?
• When does one of us become one of us?
• Whats in the dish?
• Risks to identity?

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GMO Technology Curriculum Integration Ideas

• Cell and molecular biology
• Genetics
• Health and nutrition
• Ecology and environmental science
• Basic patent law
• Social justice themes

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GMO Technology Key Moral Questions

• Case Studies Chakrabarty, StarLink
• Who owns life?
• Environmental impact Whos responsible?
• What about labels?
• Terminator technology Is it Just?

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Why the Internet?

• Over 73 of youth between 12-17 use the Internet.
• 78 of online teens use the Internet for homework
  purposes.
• 34 of teens download study-kits from online.
• The Internet as primary tool for research.

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Online Interaction

• Instant messaging as mainstream communication.
• Ask-an-expert site.
• Live Help

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Assigning Bioethics Homework Were here to Help

• HelpLine
• Content and online resources
• Bioethics Fair
• Outreach
• Direct Communication via email and school visits

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Penn High School Bioethics Helpline

• Piloted in September 2001
• Interface LivePerson and was developed by Penn
  staff
• Tutors Undergraduate and graduate students and
  Center staff
• Chats Provides one-on-one help to students with
  bioethics homework.
• Content and Direction Canned links, pushed
  pages, and standard forms
• Operations Nightly 7pm-11pm
• Demo

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Testimonials

• I love this live chat, it is the neatest way to
  get the info you need without having to look at
  a bunch of stuff you dont need first.
• we need to have bioethics become our main
  unit of study not just a one time paper.
• I hope that more teachers find out about this
  live bioethics Helpline because it is very
  useful

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High School Bioethics Web Fair and Exhibition

• Evidence of interest, research potential
• Published in AJOB
• Happening again in Fall and Spring 2002-2003
• Web Fair as course final project.

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Creating Bioethics Courses Were Here to Help

• Partner schools
• Web area
• Consultation on course structure, curriculum,
  syllabi and assignments
• Resources

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Penn High School Bioethics Project Year 2

• Teacher training and workshop watch this space
• Lesson plan help and on-line clearinghouse send
  us your stuff!
• More content watch our website
• Enhanced HelpLine to talk to leading bioethicists
  during class or lab contact us to set up.
• Bioethics Bowl

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How To Contact Us

• www.bioethics.org
• www.highschoolbioethics.org
• Dominic Sisti, MBe
• Domsisti_at_bioethics.net
• John Kwon, MSE
• Jeontaik_at_mail.med.upenn.edu
• Glenn McGee, PhD (Project director and Center
  Fellow)
• Mcgee_at_mail.med.upenn.edu
• Art Caplan, PhD (Project co-director and Director
  of Center)
• caplan_at_mail.med.upenn.edu
• University of Penn, Center for Bioethics
• Center for Bioethics3401 Market St., Suite
  320Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308Tel. (215)
  898-7136Fax [phone]