This assessment allows us to explore a NZ contemporary biological issue. This means the "issue" will still mean people currently hold different pinions and view points. The reasoned personal position you develop and recommended action will be done from reading/researching and understanding relevant biological ideas and implications associated with the issue. You will
· presenting a personal position, developed using relevant biological knowledge
· proposing action(s) at a personal and/or societal level.
· explaining why the position and the action(s) have been chosen.
· justifying the personal position and proposed action(s) by analysing and evaluating the biological knowledge related to the issue. This may include:
- comparing the significance of implications
- considering the likely effectiveness of the proposed action(s)
- commenting on sources and information, considering ideas such as:
i validity – currency, peer review status, scientific acceptance
ii bias – attitudes, values, beliefs.
A socio-scientific issue has both biological and social implications. The issue is one for which people hold different opinions or viewpoints. Social implications may be economic, ethical, cultural, or environmental.
Biological knowledge includes:
· biological concepts and processes relating to the issue
· biological and social implications of the issue
· differing opinions or viewpoints about the issue.
Good referencing practice, using accepted protocols, is expected at this level but cannot be a reason for you to not achieve. It will limit your ability to gain M or E though!
Suggested Topics:
Pre Birth testing
There are many tests before birth to identify whether a child may suffer from possible illnesses, diseases or disorders. Some of these are tests for genetic conditions, but others are not. Some commonly known tests used in New Zealand are maternal blood tests, ultrasound and amniocentesis. PGD has only recently become available In New Zealand. Worldwide, since it began in 1990, more than 1,000 babies have been born after PGD. In the future, it is likely that PGD tests will become more reliable and there will be tests for more diseases and conditions but at the present time PGD has limitations and risks. Like IVF, PGD is ethically controversial because both may involve the destruction of embryos.13 In addition, PGD involves screening of embryos and choosing which embryo will be used to have a child. One example is to select a female embryo to avoid a disorder that only boys get. Most PGD is to diagnose medical conditions such as cystic fi brosis and muscular dystrophy, which develop in infants. However, it could be used for non-medical purposes.
Killer Microbes
Vaccines have been used in NZ for decades now and have reduced or eliminated many common diseases such as small pox and polio. New vaccines are continually being discovered for other problems such as earaches, the flu, and strep throat. You will need to learn how these vaccines work and will examine the risks associated with certain vaccines. Should vaccines be compulsory in NZ?
Should NZ change its laws around the release of GMOs?
Breast Cancer
Due to advances in breast cancer screening, many more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer and seeking treatment. New research shows that many of these women are, perhaps, being over-treated as they may have a form of breast cancer that is so slow growing that they would have gone through life without ever knowing it was there if not for the advanced screening method. It seems that although early detection is good for those women who have aggressive breast cancer, there is another population of women with non-life threatening breast cancer that is also being detected who may be, unnecessarily, receiving aggressive treatment for a non-aggressive cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Recent research has shown that most men who reach the age of 80 or older will have prostate cancer at some time in their lives. Prostate cancer treatment is a controversial topic (especially in older men) due to the slow growth rate of prostate cancer and the side effects of most treatments. In fact many older men who have prostate cancer die from unrelated causes rather than the cancer itself. Men who face this decision must weigh the benefits of eliminating the risk of prostate cancer spreading and causing death with the side effects of sexual dysfunction and incontinence due to most of the common treatments.
Stem Cells
Stem cells have become a controversial topic over the last few years. Most people have some sort of opinion on how (or if) stem cells should be used, but few could define what a stem cell really is. You will need to dispel many of the misconceptions that people have about stem cells and describe the potential application of stem cell technology on medicine. You will need to learn about the history of stem cells; how they were discovered and where they come from so they can use factual information as they develop their own opinion about this controversial topic.
Cloning
Cloning technology is changing the way modern medicine is dealing with diseases that have affected humans throughout history, yet it causes concern for many due to the possible applications of this technology as well as many misconceptions of what cloning really is. You will need to describe the cloning process, what it can do for medicine, and explore controversial potential applications of cloning in the future.
Ozone Hole
There has been much debate over the veracity of the “hole” in the ozone. Many have called the theory “balderdash” or “poppycock”, but scientific research has shown that there is, indeed, a hole formed in the ozone which has been effecting human health and ecosystems. You will need to find the facts about the ozone and learn how it has been being destroyed. You will need to also learn how the government has been dealing with this issue and if the actions taken are working to restore the ozone layer.
The use of PrEP to prevent HIV is causing great controversy
2016 saw record levels of new HIV infections in New Zealand since epidemiologists began tracking the virus in 1985. New Zealand’s current and past HIV prevention strategy has relied solely on behavioural methods, however, recent scientific trials have shown that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at preventing the transmission of HIV. When taken on a daily basis, PrEP ensures there is enough HIV medication in the body to significantly reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV if exposed during unprotected sex.
HINTS:
You will need to present and explain a personal position (that is your own, not you friends or even teachers), developed by using relevant biological knowledge, researching biological ideas, implications and differing viewpoints.
You need to be very obvious in explaining why the action(s) at a personal and/or societal level are chosen by yourself and this means you will need to give:
You need to use material that is integrated meaning it has come from different sources (often within a paragraph), has been rewritten in your own words (copy and paste will not work here), and paragraphs flow in a logical way rather than jumping from one topic to another. Plan, Plan and Plan before you start your final write up.
· presenting a personal position, developed using relevant biological knowledge
· proposing action(s) at a personal and/or societal level.
· explaining why the position and the action(s) have been chosen.
· justifying the personal position and proposed action(s) by analysing and evaluating the biological knowledge related to the issue. This may include:
- comparing the significance of implications
- considering the likely effectiveness of the proposed action(s)
- commenting on sources and information, considering ideas such as:
i validity – currency, peer review status, scientific acceptance
ii bias – attitudes, values, beliefs.
A socio-scientific issue has both biological and social implications. The issue is one for which people hold different opinions or viewpoints. Social implications may be economic, ethical, cultural, or environmental.
Biological knowledge includes:
· biological concepts and processes relating to the issue
· biological and social implications of the issue
· differing opinions or viewpoints about the issue.
Good referencing practice, using accepted protocols, is expected at this level but cannot be a reason for you to not achieve. It will limit your ability to gain M or E though!
Suggested Topics:
Pre Birth testing
There are many tests before birth to identify whether a child may suffer from possible illnesses, diseases or disorders. Some of these are tests for genetic conditions, but others are not. Some commonly known tests used in New Zealand are maternal blood tests, ultrasound and amniocentesis. PGD has only recently become available In New Zealand. Worldwide, since it began in 1990, more than 1,000 babies have been born after PGD. In the future, it is likely that PGD tests will become more reliable and there will be tests for more diseases and conditions but at the present time PGD has limitations and risks. Like IVF, PGD is ethically controversial because both may involve the destruction of embryos.13 In addition, PGD involves screening of embryos and choosing which embryo will be used to have a child. One example is to select a female embryo to avoid a disorder that only boys get. Most PGD is to diagnose medical conditions such as cystic fi brosis and muscular dystrophy, which develop in infants. However, it could be used for non-medical purposes.
Killer Microbes
Vaccines have been used in NZ for decades now and have reduced or eliminated many common diseases such as small pox and polio. New vaccines are continually being discovered for other problems such as earaches, the flu, and strep throat. You will need to learn how these vaccines work and will examine the risks associated with certain vaccines. Should vaccines be compulsory in NZ?
Should NZ change its laws around the release of GMOs?
Breast Cancer
Due to advances in breast cancer screening, many more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer and seeking treatment. New research shows that many of these women are, perhaps, being over-treated as they may have a form of breast cancer that is so slow growing that they would have gone through life without ever knowing it was there if not for the advanced screening method. It seems that although early detection is good for those women who have aggressive breast cancer, there is another population of women with non-life threatening breast cancer that is also being detected who may be, unnecessarily, receiving aggressive treatment for a non-aggressive cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Recent research has shown that most men who reach the age of 80 or older will have prostate cancer at some time in their lives. Prostate cancer treatment is a controversial topic (especially in older men) due to the slow growth rate of prostate cancer and the side effects of most treatments. In fact many older men who have prostate cancer die from unrelated causes rather than the cancer itself. Men who face this decision must weigh the benefits of eliminating the risk of prostate cancer spreading and causing death with the side effects of sexual dysfunction and incontinence due to most of the common treatments.
Stem Cells
Stem cells have become a controversial topic over the last few years. Most people have some sort of opinion on how (or if) stem cells should be used, but few could define what a stem cell really is. You will need to dispel many of the misconceptions that people have about stem cells and describe the potential application of stem cell technology on medicine. You will need to learn about the history of stem cells; how they were discovered and where they come from so they can use factual information as they develop their own opinion about this controversial topic.
Cloning
Cloning technology is changing the way modern medicine is dealing with diseases that have affected humans throughout history, yet it causes concern for many due to the possible applications of this technology as well as many misconceptions of what cloning really is. You will need to describe the cloning process, what it can do for medicine, and explore controversial potential applications of cloning in the future.
Ozone Hole
There has been much debate over the veracity of the “hole” in the ozone. Many have called the theory “balderdash” or “poppycock”, but scientific research has shown that there is, indeed, a hole formed in the ozone which has been effecting human health and ecosystems. You will need to find the facts about the ozone and learn how it has been being destroyed. You will need to also learn how the government has been dealing with this issue and if the actions taken are working to restore the ozone layer.
The use of PrEP to prevent HIV is causing great controversy
2016 saw record levels of new HIV infections in New Zealand since epidemiologists began tracking the virus in 1985. New Zealand’s current and past HIV prevention strategy has relied solely on behavioural methods, however, recent scientific trials have shown that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at preventing the transmission of HIV. When taken on a daily basis, PrEP ensures there is enough HIV medication in the body to significantly reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV if exposed during unprotected sex.
HINTS:
You will need to present and explain a personal position (that is your own, not you friends or even teachers), developed by using relevant biological knowledge, researching biological ideas, implications and differing viewpoints.
You need to be very obvious in explaining why the action(s) at a personal and/or societal level are chosen by yourself and this means you will need to give:
- a stated reasoned viewpoint that leads logically to a recommendation for action.
- your response needs to flow logically from the biological information provided.
You need to use material that is integrated meaning it has come from different sources (often within a paragraph), has been rewritten in your own words (copy and paste will not work here), and paragraphs flow in a logical way rather than jumping from one topic to another. Plan, Plan and Plan before you start your final write up.
Hormonal Growth promotants.
let's find out what all the hooohaa is all About!
Now that we are big kids we will be making decisions for ourselves and loved ones. What will you need to know before you can begin to make an informed decision? What evidence will you use so could justify your positionation to trusts?
Click on the link below. Read through the information provided to New Zealanders by a government agency.
Answer the following questions.
Click on the link below. Read through the information provided to New Zealanders by a government agency.
Answer the following questions.
I look forward to seeing what your opinion is. You must be able to justify your position with well rounded argument.