Exploring Bioethics - NIH Office of Science Education - National ...

Module5. Research Ethics:The Power andPeril of HumanExperimentationEthical Issues*Students learn that research withhumans has led to widespread benefitsbut can also lead to abuse and harmsif certain protections are not in place.Students consider factors that makeresearch most respectful of all individuals,including ensuring voluntary andinformed consent.Curricular Connections• Nature of science: research design, howexperiments are done, the need to testone variable at a time, the need for comparison(or control) groups, and interventionvs. observational studies• Study design: controlled studies, placebos,randomization, and blinding6. Modifying the Students examine human responsi­ • DNA, RNA, protein, traitsNatural World: bilities to the rest of the natural world, • EcosystemHuman Responsibilitiestoward Animalsparticularly with respect to the modificationof animals for human purposes.• Genetic modification and gene insertionmethods• Implications of scientific interventionsThey grapple with harms and benefits• Mutationto animals and humans and whether• Phenotype, genotyperespect for persons should be adapted • Population dynamicsand extended to other species. Because • Selective breeding, monoculturescientists might not yet completelyunderstand the modification’s effect onthe animal or on the environment, eachstudent must grapple with uncertaintywhen justifying his or her decision aboutwhich kinds of modifications to animalsare and are not ethically appropriate.*Although each module touches on each of the three core ethical considerations (respect for persons, minimizing harms whilemaximizing benefits, and fairness), the most relevant considerations within each module are noted in bold.Using the ModulesAs you review the modules, you will find that each onecontains several major features.At a Glance summarizes the module.• Issues Explored: States the overarching ethicalissues the module addresses.• Purpose and Rationale: Provides the why of themodule—the reason why students are investigatinga particular topic.• Overview: Offers a general picture of theentire module.• Learning Objectives: Lists what students willknow and understand by the end of the module.• Major Concepts: Lists the scientific and ethics concepts covered in the module.• Assessment Outcome: Describes a final assignmentto ensure that students take a position on theissue and fully justify their stance.• Key Science Knowledge: Lists the scientific conceptscovered in the module and highlights thosethat are explicitly addressed.• Teaching Sequence Preview: Provides a day-bydaypreview of what students will do.In Advance offers lists of the items needed to carryout the module. These include photocopies and transparencies,materials and equipment, masters, andteacher support materials. Each module is divided intothree days of class, each about 45 minutes long.Introduction23