Gene technology and ethics

Project: Gene technology and ethics

Understanding and applying gene technology concepts is critical in modern environmental, and industrial departments. The goalof this assignment is to design your own case-studyregarding a particular gene technology application with a recommendedsolution to the problem.

Task:

Identify a situation or problem that you wish to solve in the biotechnological industry or an area that interests you.  Research the topic and read about how gene manipulation is taking place.  Try to pick real-life examples.  You can innovate new solutions to a hypothetical problem but be realistic.

Pick a ONE topic within the ONE of following areas:

• Environmental: food and crop production
• Environmental: waste clean up
• Microorganisms, virus, bacterial transgenes etc
• Bio-entrepreneurship

Your paper should contain the following sections with appropriate headings:

1. Introduction

Highlight the paper’s focus and purpose. Then, describe:

• The situation or problem on which you will focus: What is going on, who is involved,what is bothering you about the situation, and what do you wish was different and better?

2. Core

Write about the genetic engineering techniques or biotechnology techniques.  You need to show a basic understanding and not go into too much detail.  Write about how you can solve the problem and what are the results you wish to achieve or have been achieved.

• Discuss the importance of your technique(s) in the field and how it aims to help humanity in the near future.
• Are there any ethical issues involved? Mention them and discuss solutions to overcome the ethical issues if this is feasible.

3. Analysis

• Did the research technique work? Did it produce the expected results? If not, what went wrong?
• If applicable, explain other techniques, which can be used instead, to get the desired result.
• In your discussion, also critically analyze the conceptsyou have researched. Are these concepts applicable, ethical, and useful? Would you have tomodify or adapt them? Are they practical for our culture?

4. Conclusion

• Draw some conclusions regarding what you have learned about the topic.
• Do you have any new questions to ask?

Format

• A cover page, providing all the students names, the date, and adescriptive title.
• Pages are numbered (except the title page)
• The paper is double-spaced, 12-point type in a standard style and format
• APA style is used to cite sources within text and for your List of References at the end.
• For websites use:http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/mla/website

Organization and logic

• Are all the expected parts of the paper present and in order?
• Can the reader see clear topic sentences and clear transitions between ideas?
• Does the conclusion show what the student has learned, and possibly offersuggestions or ask relevant questions?

Use of Language

• Does the student use vocabulary that is appropriate and is the paper free from slang or overly specialized jargon?
• Is language concise, and engaging?
  

Mechanics (Extras)

• Word count excluding the front cover should not exceed 750 words.
• Has the student spell-checked AND proofread the final document?
• Is the plagiarism score ≤ 25%?

Due date:

• A draft outline is due during lecture time on October 29^th. In this session, you may ask for feedback on your project.
• The final paper is due on November 19^thas a Turnitin online paper.

Rubric:

Description	Marks
1.       Students show basic understanding of how gene technology principles (at least two) can be applied for the topic of choice.	2
2.       Students mention and explain at least twotechniques used to manipulate and alter DNA	2
3.       Students make an attempt to analyze real situations and take action (at least two) to bring about possible desired results.	2
4.       Students have the ability to apply and think critically about the positiveconsequences of gene technology tactics.	2
5.       Students have the ability to apply and think critically about the negativeconsequences of gene technology tactics.	2
6.       Are all the expected parts of the paper present and in order?	1
Total	11 Marks
Student Mark (11%)