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Welcome to Gene Issues. The applications of biomedical research and the rapid growth of biotechnology have the potential to improve the human condition through new medical treatments and the prevention of disease. On the other hand, such applications raise concerns and potential issues that will affect individuals, families and society as a whole.
The basic principles of biomedical ethics
These principles provide the student with a conceptual framework for discussing ethical issues raised by biomedical research. In responding to a particular issue, the student should use the four principles keeping in mind who is affected and how they are affected.
Student Guide and Fact Sheet
Click here to view the student guide to arriving at an ethical decision.
Tasks
This section provides the teacher with a series of tasks that students could be asked to respond to by applying basic ethical principles to arrive at an ethical decision. The scenarios provided could form the basis, in whole or in part, for the school assessed coursework task in Unit 4 VCE Biology or the basis of a personal learning task in Year 10 interdisciplinary studies.
Scenario 1: Genetic Screening
Scenario 2: Gene Fix
Scenario 3: Embryo Selection
Scenario 4: A Heartfelt Quandary
Scenario 5: Helping boys with muscular dystrophy
The scenario material is only hypothetical. It was originally produced by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute for the Victorian Genethics Competition 1999-2005.
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