ISB:202 Spring 2005--Extra Credit ProjectInstructor: Dr. Mark E WhalonT.A.: Chris WilsonClass Town Meeting: Addressing Cutting Edge Issues in a Public SettingRequirement for Extra Credit: You must turn in an outline reflecting your response to all of the following questions before you leave the P&SS 101 Lecture Hall—no exceptions and no delays. If you don’t turn in an outline in the proper format you will notbe given credit for your work. Your outline must be printed on white paper in 12 pt TimesNew Roman font, single spaced and consist of at least 5 pages of outlined text, citations and footnotes if you want the first Extra Credit. Include your name, student PID and email address at the top of your outline. Bring a picture ID to class. You may or may not be chosen to come down front and respond to a question. Your instructor will use a random number generator to select individuals to participate. Remember, there are two extra credit projects this semester each worth 0.25 of a GPA pass or fail--levied after yourgrade is calculated at the end of the semester.Instructions: Read through the entire extra credit assignment before you begin formulating your responses. For each question below, develop a logically defensible response. Where there are two choices, decide which side you prefer to defend (you may wish to defend an and construct your argument to carefully support your perspective. Be careful to construct a logically defensible argument! You might even do a little research on what “propositional logic” is and how it applies to these questions. Note that references, citations, authorities or authors can help your argument. Please properly cite these references as you proceed using standard footnote and bibliography procedures. Group efforts are allowed in the development of your outlines. Your instructor primarily wants you to process some of the materials in the first 2/3 of this course in developing a logical pro or con argument related to the biological science issues facing you personally today.In Class Materials and References: Most of these issues have been addressed directly or indirectly either in lecture, in the references in your Powerpoint Lecture Outlines for each class and through various discussions during class. You are welcome to use any of these resources in your outline.Questions: 1. Would you genetically engineer your own children if you could? Outline both the benefits and the drawbacks of your “participatory evolution.”a. Is “participatory evolution” an emerging form of slavery since the individuals that are “engineered” have no say in the choices made to them,and they will subsequently be “slaves” to those choices throughout their lives. Yes or No and Why?2. The use of stem cells in science and medicine is a controversial issue in society today. Define a stem cell and outline why their use is controversial. a. Many of the “pro” arguments for stem cell research are based upon supposed benefits. Historically, many “Science Programs” have been “sold” to the US public based on potential benefits. List a few of these. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of stem cell research?b. Is stem cell research right or wrong? Make sure to outline what constructs (worldview, presuppositions, etc) you based your argument upon. Legal historical precedence may also play a role in you decision processes. Therefore, if it did; include your sources.c. The California Legislature has voted to invest public funding in stem cell research, is it appropriate for state governments to fund morally contestable issues? Why or why not, and are there other historical precedence for this action? Carefully document your sources.3. Define a genetically modified food and develop an argument for their safety or lack there of. Whether “Yes” or “No” on the safety issue, carefully outline how you arrived at your conclusions? That is, what procedure(s) and processes did you employ in making your “safe” or “not safe” decision? This question is not targeting your outcome, but process and resources used in arriving at your answer.Therefore, disclose the details of your decision process! 4. What is nanotechnology, and what are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of these technologies?5. What are the positive and negative effects of the use of pesticides and antibiotics? As you outline your answer, please include whether or not these technologies should be used to fight new introduced pests and diseases by broadcasting them across whole areas or whole populations of people and animals. Your instructor is not interested in a “yes, they should” or “no they should not” answer, but a thorough outline of your logical process in arriving at your position.6. Is global warming a “real” or “true” phenomena? If “Yes”, what do you support your position upon (citations, authorities, data sources, and your logical argument(s) please). Whether your answer is “No” or “Yes”, is the scientific community engaged in “generating a false crisis” or “popularizing a real concern”to raise funds for earth-observation science programs (please use citations, authorities, data sources and your carefully crafted logical argument in your answers)?7. Do pharmaceutical companies have the responsibility to provide cheap drugs to aged and impoverished people in the US? What about other countries? Why or why not (Your instructor would like to see evidence that you actually and thoughtfully considered these issues)?a. Given the recent recall of Vioxx, should drugs coming into the market be held to stricter standards? Why or why not? Make sure to include in the basis of your argument recent efforts of the US Congress to address this issue.b. Who is responsible for the shortage of flu-shots this winter, and are they really necessary (base your answer upon the human immune system notinghow vaccines work and whether or not you believe that science can actually predict the next virus epidemic—why or why not)?8. With the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, especially in Africa, what can be done to check this problem scientifically, culturally, educationally and morally? (Ok, this is a huge question, but its implications for you and your offspring are enormous so let’s deal with it.) a. What are the potential results if nothing is done?b. What evolutionary outcomes are likely if HIV/AIDS is left unchecked?c. Do you think that
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