Name ______Date ______Block ____
Disease Journal Project
Overview
Our disease journal project will provide a unique opportunity for you to “experience” a disease (minus the part where you actually are sick). It also marks the beginning of a month-long collaboration between Mr. Hammer’s Honors Biology course and Mr. Ponton’s African American History course. Our multidisciplinary approach will provide opportunities for in-depth investigation of the complex scientific and sociological determinants of disease as well as historical and ethical perspectives on health care and biomedical research.
In a few minutes, you will be "given" symptoms of a particular disease and be asked to research possible causes of these symptoms. Upon receiving your diagnosis, you will be asked to research your particular disease and various treatment regimens from a variety of sources, including journal articles, textbooks, and personal interviews with doctors, scientists, related agencies, and former patients. You will ultimately be asked to make decisions about whether you will accept treatment, whether your insurance will cover such treatment, and what you will do if your treatment does not work and/or your prognosis changes. Throughout the course of the project, you will maintain a journal of your activities, findings, reactions, and reflections.
Objectives
· Reinforce concepts learned and discussed in class
· Investigate and understand proposed causes of disease at the molecular level
· Research medical treatments, their mechanisms of action, and side effects
· Reflect on real-life (or death) applications and implications of biology
Part I – due Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, 2011
1. You have been given a list of symptoms. Use a variety of resources to research these symptoms. The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com) is a great nonbiased source of medical information on the web. WebMD (http://www.webmd.com) is another popular choice, but beware -- its reputation as a credible independent source has recently come under fire due to ties to major pharmaceutical companies. Feel free to use, but vet the info (esp. when it comes to treatment options).
2. Answer the following questions in your journal:
· What are some possible causes of these symptoms?
· Do you think all of your symptoms are due to a single cause?
· How do you feel about the different possibilities?
· Who would you tell about their symptoms?
· Would you seek medical care?
· Do you think there is a link between anything you have done recently and these symptoms?
· What is your insurance status? What effect (if any) will this have on your decision to seek care?
Requirements
· Your journal entry should answer all questions in prompt thoroughly and honestly
· Typed entries are recommended
· Cite all sources (Works Cited page in MLA format)
Next Wednesday, you will find out your official diagnosis!