Are Embryonic Stem Cells The Only Answer?
A
WebQuest for 10th Grade Biology Designed
by Lisa J. Reid |
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Introduction
Last Friday night, Atexastown High School’s star
football player was critically injured in a car wreck. Hospital officials have indicated
that he has suffered severe spinal cord injury and will not be able to walk
again, much less run with the football. Dr. Medico stated that the only hope for the athlete
was embryonic stem cell research that President Bush had recently decided
against. President Bush has said
research using embryonic stem cells involved "great promise, and great
peril." To ensure
this, he decided against allowing federal funding for embryonic stem cell
research except for the 60 lines already being used. This meant nothing to you until
your star football player was paralyzed in the car wreck. You will research
the advantages and disadvantages of stem cell research in order to determine
if the embryonic stem cell research is the only choice. You will present your recommendation
in a formal letter to President Bush.
Task
First, each student
will choose a type of stem cell to research. The research will include the advantages and disadvantages
of human embryo stem cells, adult stem cells, umbilical stem cells, and
placental stem cells. After
research is complete and you are confident that you know the facts about your
type of research, you will share your research as a group. As a group you will discuss the types
of research and debate whether embryonic stem cell research is the only
successful type of research until you reach a consensus. After a consensus is reached, you
will create a formal letter to the President and then present to the class
your decision.
Process
Your problem is to determine if embryonic stem cell research is
the only type of research that will help your friend the football
player. In groups of four, each
student will choose a type of stem cell research to investigate. Questions to consider: 1. How are the stem
cells “harvested?” 2. In harvesting, is
the original organism harmed? If
so, how? 3. To what use will the
stem cells be put? 4. Is the process of
implanting stem cells perfected yet? 5. What treatments or
cures have been reported as successful? 6. What costs are
involved? 7. Will ethics be a
consideration? 8. Is abortion or human
rights a consideration? 9. Are there any other
benefits? After you have
finished researching, you will present your findings to the group. Your report to the group should be
based on facts, not opinions.
The group shall then discuss stem cell research and decide on a single
approach. Also as a group, you
should decide on the wording of the letter to be sure the President
understands your position and why. Stem cell research web resources:
Evaluation
The students will be evaluated as an individual
according to the following rubric: The students will be evaluated as a group
according to the following rubric: |
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