The Stem Cell Controversy
Introduction | Task | Processes and Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Learning Standards
Stem Cell Researcher
Introduction
Welcome to the 2004 National Conference on Stem Cell Research. Over the last 4 years, research on Stem Cells has become a major controversy pitting opposing viewpoints of medical researchers, bioethicists, pro-life clergy, advocacy groups (American Cancer Society, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, The American Diabetes Foundation) and politicians .
In 2001, President George W. Bush allowed limited federal funding to support research using a subset of stem cell lines from frozen (and then destroyed) embryos. The stem cell research may allow researchers to reverse the course of serious conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer as well as performing medical and drug research on human tissues generated from stem cells. We are here to discuss the controversial issue of stem cell research.
Should we stop stem cell research because it is immoral to use frozen human embryos? Or, should we expand federal funding for stem cell research to further the potential medical benefits that arise from such efforts?
Task
You will break into groups of four to five students that will review current stem cell research policy and make recommendations to expand or oppose stem cell research. The groups include:
- A interdisciplinary group of conservative Christian and Catholic clergy who oppose stem cell research and its expansion
- An interdisplinary group of Jewish and Muslim clergy who favor stem cell research expansion
- A university group that does research on stem cells and determines how effective they can be in treating or preventing the spread of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's Disease
- A patient advocacy group consisting of the American Cancer Society, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation who favor the expansion of stem cell research
You will create a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint ™ describing their group's position on supporting or opposing the expansion of stem cell research. You will also draft a letter to Chairperson summarizing your group's viewpoints. Each group will then discuss the issue as a panel discussion.
Process and Resources
- Please use the web resources provided under your group's
"Task Page"
- You are to use Microsoft PowerPoint to create
a presentation detailing your group's position
- You are encouraged to incorporate graphics
into your presentation
- The Presentation should be approximately 5-7
pages with no more than 5 bullets on each page
- Create a cogent 1-2 page letter to the
Chairperson explaining your group's position on stem cell research
- You are required to show the PowerPoint
Presentation in the panel discussion and discuss your positions for ten to
fifteen minutes.
- You may have one person speak for your group or each group member may present an element of your argument to the class
Evaluation
Your work will be judged using the following rubric
| Beginning | Developing | Accomplished | Exemplary
|
|
| 1. Creativity (15%) | Students show ingenuity and imagination in creating their presentation and letter | Students show some ingenuity and imagination in creating their presentation and letter | Students display strong imagination in creating their presentation and letter | Students display superior imagination in their presentation and letter |
| 2. Writing Skills, Grammar and Spelling (10%) | Student presentation includes
many grammatical and spelling errors. Writing is poor.
|
Student presentation includes less than three grammatical and spelling errors. Writing is satisfactory. | Student presentation includes only one grammatical or spelling error. Writing is very good to excellent. | Student presentation includes no grammatical or spelling errors. Writing skills are superb. |
| 3. Effective Use of Web Resources (20%) | Does not communicate any of the ideas and arguments provided with the web resources | Communicates some of the ideas and arguments provided with the web resources | Communicates many of the arguments and ideas provided with the web resources | Communicates and successfully encapsulates the essential arguments and ideas provided with the web resources |
| 4. Clarity of Presentation (20%) | The presentation does not include any clear and precise arguments depending on the position of your group. | The presentation includes some arguments depending on the position of your group. | The presentation includes many clear arguments depending on the position of your group. | The presentation includes clear and decisive arguments depending on the position of your group. |
| 5. Power and Persuasiveness of Presentation (20%) | The presentation does not provide a clear and precise argument supporting your groups position | The presentation includes some persuasive arguments supporting your groups position | The presentation includes very persuasive arguments supporting your groups position | The presentation includes strongly persuasive arguments supporting your groups position |
| 6. Organization of Arguments (20%) | Ideas are presented in random fashion without logical organization | Ideas are presented using some logical organization | Ideas are presented using good logical organization | Ideas are presented using excellent logical organization |
Conclusion
By completing this Webquest, you should be familiar with the issues surrounding stem cell research. You should understand the arguments favoring stem cell research by researchers and patient advocacy groups. You should know the potential scientific and medical benefits that stem cell research may provide. You should also develop an understanding of the ethical and moral views that certain groups hold towards stem cell research through the panel discussion.
Please be sensitive to the different positions regarding stem cell research and the feelings that your classmates bring to the discussion.
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