Ethics Lesson Plans

Learners complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of acquiring and distributing fish as a food source. They touch on the ethics involved in genetically modified salmon, as well.

Learners 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.

Learners select topics relating to bioethical questions which they research and debate. They, in groups, select topics and are given two to three weeks to research their topics, taking advantage of their school libraries and local public libraries.

Students analyze ethics issues as they read science fiction works. In this science and ethics lesson plan, students read science fiction short stories of their choosing, investigate the ethics issues raised in the stories, and present dramatic presentations to their classmates. Students discuss the implications of the ethics issues presented in class.

Students study the future impact that biotechnology might have on science and society.  In this investigative lesson students discuss the concerns and future of biotechnology use.

Eleventh graders are introduced to the concept of biotechnology. Using the internet, they research the latest developments in this field and the tools used by biotechnologists. They share their information with the class and create a pamphlet supporting one side of a controversial question.

Students discover ethical issues surrounding the practice of genetic engineering in reproductive medicine. They work in pairs, with their partner they discuss genes and why they are important. Students discuss genes. They are explained that genes are inherited from parents and are important because they determine much about behavioral, mental, and physical traits.

Students complete a unit of study on bioethics. They participate in a discussion about gene therapy and its uses. They review two case studies and discuss the ethical issues focused on in the cases. They develop a patient record based on the information listed on each case study.

Students describe the techniques that are used to help identify genes involved in disease.  In this biotechnology activity students view videos on genetics and discuss the ways to treat and prevent diseases. 

Students perform an experiment involving reverse transcriptase-polymerized chain reaction HIV replication to better examine the biotechnology used by scientists in pharmaceutical research of infections diseases like HIV. Students examine the roles of business and ethics in the discovery and distributions of such drugs by assuming the role of drug corporation, non-profit company, legal annalist, and international health organization in a class debate.