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Background Information
Background Information
The increasing uses and application of genetics knowledge and reproductive science in society both provide benefits for individuals and populations and raise social, economic, legal and ethical questions. Human cloning, genetic modification of organisms, the use of DNA databanks, assisted reproductive technologies and prenatal and predictive genetic testing challenge social and ethical norms.
These are all very emotive topics and as interested and engaged individuals we all hold different perspectives because of our experiences and knowledge about them. During this area of study, you will formulate a question about a topic, conduct research to investigate the topic in detail and respond to your question considering all of the stakeholders involved and their perspectives.
Topics to consider include:
Genomic and epigenetic research
Cloning for agriculture, horticulture or other purposes
Assisted reproductive technologies
Prenatal and predictive genetic testing
Strategies for maintaining genetic diversity within a species or population
The impact of introduced species
Changes to specific keystone species on populations and ecosystems
The use of biomimicry to solve human challenges
Biopiracy of Indigenous knowledge
SAC 3: Investigate an issue involving a contemporary bioethical issue relating to the application of genetic knowledge, reproductive science, inheritance or adaptations and interdependencies beneficial for survival.
Selecting a Topic
Selecting a Topic
Topics to select from are listed above, however you also have the option of negotiating a topic related to Area of Study 1 and/or Area of Study 2 with your teacher.
The videos below can be used as a starting point to find out more about each of the suggested topics before making your selection.
Genomic medicine
Demystifying epigenetics
Modern cloning techniques
Genetic Rescue: Increasing diversity
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Genetic Screening
Pre-natal Genetic testing
Predictive Genetic testing
Introduced Species
Antarctica's Keystone species
Biomimicry
Biopiracy
Developing a Research Question
Developing a Research Question
Think about issues that may arise from the subject matter of your selected topic. Write a question relating to one issue that you want to further investigate. The question needs to be specific but deep enough that you can develop a detailed analysis and propose a solution.
Examples can be found in the document to the right.
Impact and Significance
Impact and Significance
When investigating a bioethical issue, it is important consider the various stakeholders, their differing perspectives and the impact it may have on them. Worksheet on the right can be used to assist you to unpack the issue further. Additional information about beginning an investigation can be found on page 391-395 in the Nelson textbook.
Approaches to Bioethics
Approaches to Bioethics
Depending on the issue at hand, a variety of bioethical approaches can be considered, including: a consequences based approach; duty and/or rule based approach; or a virtues-based approach.
The document to the right summarises different bioethical approaches, which can inform the way that you analyse issues. Additional information about evaluating bioethical issues can found on page 400-407 in the Nelson textbook.
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