Each of the topics listed below is provided with a scenario and guiding questions for each side of the topic. Guiding questions merely provide a "starting point" for your thought and research. You will want to come up with your own questions as you research your topic.
1. Video Games: a community recreation center is trying to decide whether or not to include video games as part of their after-school and weekend programming. They want to hear a full report on both sides of the issue before making a final decision.
Pro - guiding questions:
According to research, what are the potential benefits to video games for teens’ mental health, learning, and social interactions?
In what ways have video games been used productively in youth programs, business, education and training for work?
Con - guiding questions:
According to research, what are the potential drawbacks of video games for teens’ mental health, learning, and social interactions?
What recommendations have been made by professional medical, psychological, and educational organizations regarding video games, and what were the reasons behind those recommendations?
2. Artificial Intelligence: The American Medical Association is investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence ("AI") to make major medical decisions, such as whether a patient should receive a certain kind of treatment, with the hope of developing a clear set of guidelines regarding the use of AI in medical decision-making.
Pro - guiding questions:
What is the current state of Artificial Intelligence, in terms of ability to make decisions as well (or better) than humans?
What kinds of tasks does Artificial Intelligence handle well?
Con - guiding questions:
What are some instances in which Artificial Intelligence has not made decisions as well as humans do?
What are the proven risks or limitations of Artificial Intelligence?
3. Genetic Engineering of Agricultural Crops (plant based): The FDA needs to update guidelines for governments, producers and consumers regarding Genetic Engineering in agricultural crops. The governing body of the FDA has asked for reports from both sides of the issue before writing those recommendations.
Pro - guiding questions:
In what ways has genetic engineering taken place through history, and what has been the result?
What safeguards are already in place in regard to genetic engineering, and how effective have they been?
Con - guiding questions:
How widespread is genetic engineering already, and what documented consequences have resulted from its use?
According to research, how is the use of genetic engineering anticipated to spread in the future, and what consequences do scientists and the public fear from that increased use?
4. Nuclear Power: The U.S. House Subcommittee on Domestic Energy needs to recommend whether the Federal Government should subsidize the construction of the first nuclear power plant to be built in 5 years, or to direct that money into research for alternative energy sources. The Subcommittee wants to know the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power before deciding.
Pro - guiding questions:
What are the advantages of nuclear power, in terms of cost, efficiency and impact on the environment?
What other benefits might result from the production of nuclear power?
Con - guiding questions:
What are the costs, both monetary and environmental, of nuclear energy over time?
According to research, what problems have resulted from the use of nuclear energy, and what problems may result in the future?
5. Facial Recognition: Congress is considering legislation to allow the use of facial recognition by business and government inside the US. They have called for a study of both sides of the issue before attempting to craft that legislation.
Pro - guiding questions:
What are some ways that facial recognition is being used effectively in business and government?
For what kind of uses would facial recognition be safer and more effective than existing technology?
Con - guiding questions:
What specific, research-based consequences have arisen for individuals and society based on use of facial recognition?
According to research, what are the consequences of the possible inaccuracy of facial recognition technology?
6. Solar Farms: A group of investors is considering whether to fund expansion of solar farms in Virginia. They want information from both sides of the solar farms debate before making their decision.
Pro - guiding questions:
What does research-based evidence tell us about benefits of solar farms?
In what ways can solar farms contribute to or enhance daily life?
Con - guiding questions:
According to research, what negative environmental impacts are caused by solar farms?
What are the economic disadvantages of solar farms?
7. Drones - Congress is considering legislation to allow the use of drones by businesses, the government and individuals in the United States. They have called for a study of both sides of the issue before attempting to craft that legislation.
Pro - guiding questions:
What economic advantages do drones have over other similar technologies?
How is drone use safer and more effective than existing technology?
Con - guiding questions:
What negative events have occurred as a result of drone use by businesses or individuals?
What research-based concerns exist regarding the domestic use of drones by the United States?
8. Social Media and Community- The American Medical Association is studying the impacts of social media on teenagers and their sense of community. The AMA needs information from both sides before establishing guidelines on teen social media usage.
Pro guiding questions:
In what ways, according to research, has social media made building relationships easier and more rewarding?
What positive impacts has social media had on building community beyond your local area?
Con - guiding questions:
What does research tell us about the effects of excessive social media use on the brain and psychology?
In what ways has social media negatively impacted community and the perception of community?
9. Lithium Ion Batteries - A local school board with an aging fleet of fossil fuel powered buses and vehicles is considering switching to lithium-ion battery powered buses and vehicles to transport students in the future. They would like to hear from proponents of each side before voting on a spending plan.
Pro - guiding questions:
What are the benefits of using lithium-ion battery powered buses and vehicles for student health and safety?
What are the economic, environmental and societal benefits of switching away from fossil fuels?
Con - guiding questions:
What are the challenges associated with acquiring, maintaining and operating lithium-ion battery powered buses and vehicles?
What are the potential negative impacts of switching to lithium-ion battery powered buses and vehicles on the school district's budget and transportation schedule?
10. Factory Farming - A new grocery store chain is considering whether or not to restrict the fruits, vegetables and meats that they sell to only “locally grown” products. The Board of the company wants a report with both perspectives before deciding.
Pro - guiding questions:
How do factory farms help to decrease food prices and stabilize food markets?
What changes in population demographics in the United States might make factory farming more advantageous?
Con - guiding questions:
How does factory farming impact the environment and the health of both animals and people?
According to research, what are some of the potentially negative long-term effects of factory farming?
11. Hydraulic Fracturing ("Fracking"). A local community Board of Supervisors has been approached by a company wishing to use hydraulic fracturing in the county. They want to hear a full report on both sides of the issue before making a final decision.
Pro - guiding questions:
What beneficial economic impact might fracking have on the community?
What advantages might fracking have over buying oil and natural gas from foreign sources?
Con - guiding questions:
What geophysical and environmental impacts does fracking have?
How does the cost of fracking compare to other means of fossil fuel extraction?
12. The collection of personal data by corporations and the government. In the wake of revelations that the US Federal Government and major corporations are collecting a huge amount of personally identifiable private digital data on Americans, an appointed Committee is considering new guidelines for this practice. The Committee has decided to examine the pros and cons before developing any new guidance.
Pro - guiding questions:
How, specifically and according to research, has the collection of data kept society safer and working better throughout our country’s history?
What safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse of collected data?
Con - guiding questions:
Why does the public generally disapprove of large scale data collection?
What are both the technological and societal risks of collecting, managing, and using large amounts of personal data?
13. Industrial Robotic Automation
The board of an old and very successful manufacturing company has been given a proposal to buy and install robotic manufacturing equipment to take over some of the tasks currently performed by skilled workers in the company's factories. The board would like to know the pros and cons of such change before making a final decision.
Pro - guiding questions:
What economic benefits might result from the use of robots in manufacturing?
What positive, non-monetary benefits (such as the health and well-being of factory workers, for example) might result from the use of robots?
Con - guiding questions:
How might the expanded use of robots have negative economic consequences?
What risks are associated with technology driven manufacturing?