A PROJECT CRITICAL WEB QUEST

STEM CELL RESEACH: AN ETHICAL DILEMNA

Presented by: Mr. S. Chin-Bow

Frederick Douglass Academy

New York City, New York

Over the past decade, there have been tremendous advances in medical research. Despite these advances there are still millions of people throughout the world that suffer from incurable diseases. Research involving human stem cells promises new treatment and possible cures for many debilitating diseases and injuries including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, burns and spinal cord injuries and blindness. When President Regan died, stem cell research was brought into the spotlight. It became more prominent when Nancy Regan announced her support for this type of research. Imagine for a moment that you live with your mom. Your mom lost her eyesight due to old age or maybe diabetes. There is no hope according to the doctors except one! Stem cell implants. Stem cells can regenerate new tissue and, possibly cure your mother’s blindness. However, stem cells are harvested from unborn fetuses. There is a dilemma. Many are ethically opposed to using the unborn for such purposes. You wonder if the elderly or the infirmed are being discriminated against. This social problem requires exploration and you will accomplish this by completing the web quest. Good luck. Maybe there is hope?

Out of concern for your mom’s health, your wellbeing, and also that of millions who suffer from incurable diseases, such as blindness, you were asked by your student council to analyze the controversy created by stem cell research. You have been asked to explore a major social problem: “Why there is a lack of in-depth research for diseases that affect the elderly.” You are also asked to stimulate public interest in this problem. Your findings will be published in your school’s news letter and will also be presented to an editor of the New York Sunday Times. If you can gain enough public support, your mom may be eligible to have a unique procedure done in an effort to repair failed eyesight. Or, you might find that stem cell research is unethical but you have found a new solution to harvest stem cells. It is up to you!

SO

1: Your group will develop a power point presentation that will focus on the ethics of stem cell research and use in curing diseases. Your power point will include charts, graphs, text and illustrations gathered from the resource section & the Internet. Be sure to include a discussion of stem cell research and blindness

2: Presentation should contain 15-20 slides using all SIX STEPS OF THE PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

3: A 10-minute presentation to your peers and later to the president’s cabinet

You will use information gained from the PPA worksheets to present your oral report and power point. Your slide show should include the six steps of the PPA

4: Each member of the group will be required to write a three page minimum essay explaining the finings using the six-steps of the Public Policy Analyst format

1: The class will be divided into groups of FOUR.

Each member of the group must fulfill his given responsibilities. The group will decide the roles for each member using the outline below. Each group member will be responsible for the written report but there will be a group grade for the power point and presentation.

2: Individual responsibilities for group members

Student # 1: Recorder & Writer-This student will take notes on information gathered by group members and write an outline for the power point slides. These notes will also be used by each member to write the paper. This student will be responsible for completing the Public Policy Analyst Worksheets for STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Student # 2: Researcher-This student will do the research, with help of other members. He/she will search the Internet and gather information that will be used to complete the worksheets. The information gathered will be focused on ethics and stem cell research.

Student # 3: Time keeper of organizer-Will keep the group on track. He/she will assist in the research, lead & coordinate group meetings and be aware of teacher made deadlines and schedules

Student # 4: Presenter- This student will be responsible to convey the group findings to the class. He/she will be the main speaker in the Oral Presentation and will assign others their subordinate roles for the oral presentation. The Power point should be used as part of this presentation.

The presenter will coordinate the oral report but all members will take part in some form.

ALSO NOTE: Each member of the group will submit a research paper.

II: Each group member should do individual research whenever possible. As a group, you will complete the worksheets (steps) in the Public Policy Analyst.

The SIX-STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

Each group will complete

Six Public Policy Analyst worksheets for the social problem

#1- Defining the Social Problem

Define the problem that you plan to address

#2- Gather evidence of the problem

How do we know that this is a problem?

#3- Identify the causes of the problem

What causes this problem that you plan on addressing?

#4- Identify and evaluate the existing public policies

What policies already exist on your problem?

#5- Developing public policy solutions

What new public policy do you want to create?

#6- Selecting the best policy solution

Decide with your group the best policy to use for the problem.

Your group will use these worksheets from the PPA as resource material for completing the task assignments.

GENERAL WEB SITES FOR RESEARCH

1: WWW.GOOGLE.COM

2: WWW.ALTAVISTA.COM

3: WWW.ASKJEEVES.COM

SPECIFIC WEB SITES

THE GREAT DEBATE

PUBLIC POLICY BY STATE

FACTS BEHIND THE CONTROVERSY

VIEWPOINTS

STEM CELL BREAKTHROUGHS

THE DEBATE

BLOOMBERG’S OPINION

ARTICLES FOR STEM CELL RESERCH

STEM CELL RESEARCH FACTS AND PUBLIC POLICY

Blindness Research

1: Cures for blindness using stem cells

2: Treatment of the Cornea

3: A Blind Man Sees

4: Stem Cells Could Cure Blindness

Research Report:

STEM CELL RESEARCH

RUBRIC

CATEGORY	4 EXCELLENT	3 SATISFACATORY	2 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT	1 UNSATISFACTORY
Organization	Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.	Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.	The information appears to be disorganized. 8)
Amount of Information	All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each.	One or more topics were not addressed.
Sources worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format. Uses all worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Uses 3 worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Uses 4 worksheets	Some sources are not accurately documented and worksheets are missing
Paragraph Construction	All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well.	Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.
Diagrams & Illustrations	Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are neat and accurate and sometimes add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

GRADING: “A” = 21-24 POINTS “B”= 16-20 POINTS “C”= 11-15 POINTS

“F”=BELOW 11 POINTS

Oral Presentation Rubric:

STEM CELL RESEARCH

CATEGORY	4 EXCELLENT	3 VERY GOOD	2 SATISFACTORY	1 UNSATISFACTORY
Enthusiasm	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.	Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Props	Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.	The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.
Stays on Topic	Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.	Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.	Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.	It was hard to tell what the topic was.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

GRADING: “A” = 21-24 POINTS “B”= 16-20 POINTS “C”= 11-15 POINTS “F”=BELOW 11 POINTS

STEM CELL RESEARCH-POWER POINT RUBRIC

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Teacher Name: Ms. De Jesus

CATEGORY	4 EXCELLENT	3 VERY GOOD	2 SATISFACTORY	1 UNACCEPTABLE
Graphics Sources	Graphics are hand-drawn. The illustrator(s) are given credit somewhere in the presentation.	A combination of hand-drawn graphics is used. Sources are documented in the presentation for all images.	Some graphics are from sources that clearly state that non-commercial use is allowed without written permission. Sources are documented in the presentation for all "borrowed" images.	Some graphics are borrowed from sites that do not have copyright statements or do not state that non-commercial use is allowed, OR sources are not documented for all images.
Originality	Presentation shows considerable originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way.	Presentation shows some originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way.	Presentation shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 cards.	Presentation is a rehash of other people's ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.
Content - Accuracy	All content throughout the presentation is accurate. There are no factual errors.	Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that might be inaccurate.	The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly flawed or inaccurate.	Content is typically confusing or contains more than one factual error.
Use of Graphics	All graphics are attractive (size and colors) and support the theme/content of the presentation.	A few graphics are not attractive but all support the theme/content of the presentation.	All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the theme/content of the presentation.	Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the presentation.
Cooperation	Group delegates tasks and shares responsibility effectively all of the time.	Group delegates tasks and shares responsibility effectively most of the time.	Group delegates tasks and shares responsibility effectively some of the time.	Group often is not effective in delegating tasks and/or sharing responsibility.
Effectiveness	Project includes all PPA material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. It is a highly effective study guide.	Project includes most material needed PPA to gain a comfortable understanding of the material but is lacking one or two key elements. It is an adequate study guide.	Project is missing more than two PPA key elements. It would make an incomplete study guide.	Project is lacking several PPA key elements and has inaccuracies that make it a poor

GRADES: A=21-24 B=17-20 C=12-16 F=BELOW 11

Having completed this Web Quest you are now aware of the social problem facing stem cell research in the United States. Science has met with social controversy. This has been a common theme in history. If you remember Galileo, he was imprisoned for trying to publish his heliocentric theories in the 16^th century. You are now aware of the emotions this topic generates. It goes all the way up to the president of the United States who has to make policy. You also have critiqued the public policy already in place as well as the many proposals put forth, and you have come up with your own solution to the problem. Le’s hope it helps the blind, disabled and the mentally challenged. Just as importantly, you now understand the importance of the public policy analyst in the American democratic system. This social scientist must analyze critical issues and find solutions to keep our unique society functioning equitably. As you see, stem cell research involves many different viewpoints. These include scientific, religious, ethical and emotional. Let’s hope you made a difference. Thanks for your participation

SCIENCE STANDARDS ADDRESSED

S8: Scientific Investigation

c. Demonstrates scientific competence by completing a design.

d. Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research

S7: Scientific Communication

d. Explains a scientific concept or procedure to other students.

e. Communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience

S5 Scientific Thinking

c. Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanations, and

Models
e. Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the

accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

English Language Arts Standards Addressed

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding

Standard 2: Language for Literary Response and Expression

Standard 3: Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation