Part 1 -Research Paper Topic:

Discuss the applications of new and/or emerging technologies relating to human biology and their impact upon individuals, human society and/or the environment.

Examples of relatively new technology that you might consider for your papers:

Genetically Modified Foods from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Stem Cell Research (be sure to explain the difference between embryonic vs adult stem cell use)

Fracking (this is an environmental issue as well as affecting humans so be sure to explain all aspects)

Cloning - this was developed a while ago but what is new about this technology? What is it being used for? What are future implications? Regulations? Etc.

Human Genome Project - we can now map our entire DNA - what are the implications? What is it being used for? How would this affect people if insurance companies got a hold of your info? Would you want to know if you had disorders? Etc.

Genetically modified bacteria for different uses like breaking down waste.

Biopesticides - using different organisms to control other organisms - beneficial vs adverse affects..

New Drugs / Treatments for different diseases or disorders like HIV/AIDs, brain cancer, Parkinson's etc.

Choose something that interests you as long as you can relate it to some of the issues discussed below.

Things to include in your papers (this is a guideline - not all of this will be relevant for all of your papers but hopefully you can work in most of these topics)

Be specific when explaining the new technologies - discuss scientific method, hypothesis and experimentation that led to the new technology if possible. Remember that other students will be reading these papers so give them a general background about your topic since they may have not done any research on this topic and need to understand it.

Explain how the new technology might benefit individuals vs. what adverse affects might be involved (the pros and cons of the new technology).

Discuss whether there are any ethical or social justice issues related to the new technology (are there two different sides arguing for and against this technology and why?)

Provide specific examples that illustrate what the technology is being used for, how the public is reacting to the technology and ways that it is working or not working. You should do a current events search for specific news articles that relate to your topic - you can include actual medical cases discussed, court cases dealing with the issue, protest events, political debates, medical breakthroughs etc.

What are some future implications for the new technology - what does the research imply versus what do YOU think might happen if we continue to use it or discontinue using it. What kind of regulations are being placed on the technology, are their arguments for more or less regulation and why?

How is society being educated about this technology? Is there a discrepancy in who is benefitting or being harmed by this new technology? Is it based on geography, racial, cultural, religious or socioeconomic divisions?

Does this new technology affect your own life now? Do you think it might in the future? How?

Part 2: Peer Review Paper

Your group will read another group's paper (I will hand them out to you without names on the paper so it is all anonymous - this is why I only want the names on the last page of the research paper, I will take off that page before I hand them out to you for review.) You will write a 2-page (double spaced) review of the paper. Topics to include in this review paper:

Did you understand how the technology is being used and how it might benefit or harm individuals, societies or the environment?

Did they cover all of the ethical implications for the patients, population and/or scientists involved? What other topics might you have brought up about this topic?

What do you think about the regulations (if any) that are involved with this technology? Do you think there should be more or less and are they different locally vs. globally?

Does this technology affect you personally in any way and do you think it will in the future?

What is the most interesting thing that you learned from this paper?

Does the paper flow well? Is it easy to understand, and grammatically correct?

If you have any criticism about the paper be sure to write it constructively and not in a hurtful manner.

The grade for the second paper will be based on how you write your review of the 1st paper as well as how well you follow the following format instructions.

Formatting for turning in your peer review paper - this is important and points will be deducted if not done properly. You should have a total of 3 pages for your peer review: please write the title of the paper you are reviewing on the 1st page of your peer review . You don't need a title page - just write it up at the top and it should start with "PEER REVIEW for ....(insert title here)" .DO NOT put your name on this page, you will write 2 pages of review and then put your name on the 3rd page which should only have your names and the title of the paper you are reviewing again. This is so that I can rip off that last page and hand back the papers to the original writers so that they can read your review anonymously. PLEASE STAPLE (I DO NOT BRING A STAPLER TO CLASS) YOUR PEER REVIEW BEHIND THE PAPER YOU REVIEWED BEFOFE COMING TO CLASS.

If you would like to do a group presentation in front of the class about your research topic for extra credit please let me know and I will see if we have lecture time to schedule them in an appropriate class (for example GMOs on nutrition day or Stem Cell research on Genetics day). They will just be short 5-minute presentations, and worth 5 points.