AP Biology – Spring 2015

Bioethics Research Paper and Presentation (worth the equivalent of two labs).

Bioethics is the study of the moral and ethical questions that relate to biology and medicine. For example, “When does a human life begin?” “Who, if anybody, should have the power to end a human life?” “Should an individual be able to patent genes?” Your assignment is to research one area of bioethics and write a research paper.

Your paper should include the following information:

  • A section introducing the bioethical question and containing scientific background information and a historical perspective. The biological basis of the topic must be addressed and explained in this section. Be specific, and discuss how the biotechnology works.
  • The viewpoints about the bioethical issues with a substantive section explaining the various perspectives. Discuss each viewpoint and describe the arguments supporting that viewpoint. Do not argue for any one perspective, yet. (Make sure the citations are complete and correct).
  • Take an ethical stand, and argue the ethical viewpoint constructively. Back your argument with ethics supporting your viewpoint of the ethical use of this technology. Your argument should be scholarly, not based on an emotional response. Cite any sources you use and base your response in ethics. Use third person. The word ”I” should never appear in your paper.

Additional Requirements

A cover page with the title, your name, class period, and date submitted.

About 1800 to 2500 words to cover the topic. This works out to be about 6- 7 pages using a word processor’s (i.e. Microsoft Word, iWorks Pages) default, 12-point font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.

Keep quotations to a minimum. More is not necessarily better. Although your paper should contain some appropriately placed quotes, it should not consist entirely of someone else’s ideas or opinions.

Internal citations for quotes and paraphrasing throughout the paper, documented according to MLA format. See for information on MLA format.

Use a minimum of six research sources.

  • None may be from a general encyclopedia, or Wikipedia.org.
  • One must be from a printed source other than your textbook,
  • One from an open access Scientific Journal (See for a listing of appropriate journals),
  • The others may be from any of the above, or an appropriate internet site. You may have more than 6 references. Be careful about the sources you choose to use, some of them are not carefully edited or contain false information.

Include a “Works Cited” (reference) page with references documented according to the MLA format. All “Works Cited” references must have an internal citation in the body of the paper referring back to them. See for information on MLA format.

Due Dates

Share your outline and paper with me as “Can edit” via Google Docs at

Research Paper Outline – due Thursday, May 28

Research Paper – due Thursday, June 4

Presentation – due Monday, 8/10 (senior trip) or Tuesday, 6/9

Scoring Scale for Research Paper

Score 4.0 / In addition to a Score 3.0 performance, the student:
  • Thoroughly describes multiple perspectives of the bioethics issue
  • Effectively uses citations to enhance the readers understanding of the perspectives
  • Provides a scholarly argument, supported by citations, for or against the biotechnology
  • Creates a cohesive organization that establishes clear relationships among claims, evidence and analysis
  • Maintains formal style that shows clear understanding of purpose, audience and discipline
  • Makes no errors

Score 3.0 / In addition to Score 2.0 performance, the student:
  • Provides scientific background sufficient for understanding how the biotechnology works
  • Provides historical perspective on the bioethics issue
  • Describes multiple perspectives on the bioethics issue
  • Maintains an objective tone while describing different perspectives
  • Maintains appropriate tone for purpose and audience
  • Makes few errors
  • Presents their research on 6/10 or 6/11

Score 2.0 / The student:
  • Clearly defines the bioethical question
  • Explains how the biotechnology works
  • Identifies multiple perspectives on the bioethical issue
  • Takes a ethical stand on the use of the biotechnology
  • Uses quoted evidence to support claims
  • Uses a minimum of 6 research sources
  • Uses MLA to cite sources internally and in Works Cited page
  • Includes a Cover Page
  • Provides a research paper that is1800 to 2500 words in length
  • Develops a logical organization
  • Uses clear, correct sentences
  • Spells correctly
  • Makes some errors
  • Submits an outline

Score 1.0 / The student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler requirements and some of the more complex requirements.
Score 0 / The student demonstrates little understanding of the bioethical topic.

Before picking a topic ask yourself the following:

What are the issues behind this topic?

Why do we have the problem?

What is the technology/science?

How does it work?

What are some approaches to understanding/solving the problem?

Is it safe/tested?

Then:

What are the ethical questions that arise from these issues?

Should we use it/should it be done? How? Why?

What happens if we do/don’t?

After picking a topic:

Develop an understanding of the topic,

Form a question,

Decide what the future of the technology should be or be used for.

Possible Topics

1. Stem cells used in research

2. Responsibility and response to emerging diseases such as HIV, hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, avian flu, others.

3. Genetically modified bacteria--threat/promise

4. US response to non-endemic diseases (ex. malaria, polio, yellow fever,)

5. Shortage of organs for organ replacement

6. Patents on genes and gene products

7. Use of knowledge of a person’s genome (health care, jobs, etc)

8.Xenotransplantation

9. Needs of endangered animals vs. the needs of people

10. Cloning of extinct animals

11. Selection of a child’s genetic characteristics

12. Stem cell therapy to treat genetic diseases

13. Cloning technologies for infertile couples

14. Growth enhancements (as in growth hormones) for meat animals

15. Safety of new biotech (need to narrow down topic to a few specifics)

16. Environmental risks of biotechnology in agriculture

17. Biopharmaceuticals testing of animals

18. Experimental gene therapy use in humans

19. Frozen embryo ownership

20. Use of information from the Human Genome Research Project

21. Transgenics and evolution

22. Use of cells/tissues removed during surgical processes or after death

24. Use of biological agents in bio-terrorism

25. Irradiation of our food supply

26. Use of bioengineered (transgenic) crops to feed humans (safety)

27. Genetically altered fish as a protein source

28. Fish farming and its effect on the environment

29. DNA vaccines to control disease

30. Using anti-bacterials routinely for control of bacteria

31. Use of biotechnology to extend age in humans

32. Technology of maintaining life

33. Owner of scientific knowledge?

34. Responsibilities of scientists to the public

36. Global warming-and our response is?

38. Overfishing of oceanic resources- (Rise of the Slime)

39. Alternate fuel sources-biofuels

40. Alternate fuel sources-non-biological

41. “Green” transportation

42. Building "green"

43. Water: What is clean water? How much potable water do we have? What are the issues?

44. Public Health: Should it be mandatory to report infectious diseases?

45. Public Health: Should vaccines be mandatory? MMR, HPV, Flu, etc.

46. Public Health: Health Care reform (focus on the biology/ science and not the politics of this issue)

47. Euthanasia

Research Paper Outline – due Thursday, May 28

Use the skeleton below to develop your outline. Use sub bullets as needed and indicate the sources of your scientific background information, historical perspective, arguments for and against the biotechnology, and for your ethical stand.

Section 1

I.Bioethical Question:

II.Scientific Background:

III.Historical Perspective:

Section 2

IV.Arguments for the biotechnology:

V.Arguments against the biotechnology:

Section 3

VI. Ethical Stand Statement:

VII.Your Arguments:

Works Cited:

Possible Sources

Adapted from