You are required to answer questions #1 and #2; then select one of the other questions for a total of three answers.
#1. Design and outline a human experiment. Using the steps commonly followed in the scientific method, design a realistic experiment to test the following hypothesis: In a given period of time, 14-year-old students who eat French Fries three times per week will gain at least two more pounds than students who eat French Fries twice a week. You dont have to invent results of the experiment or provide any imaginary data analysis, but you must identify the dependent/outcome variable(s) and all the main independent/controlled variables, and details of all the important steps to be followed in the design of your experiment. Remember: your design details must be so clear that the experiment could be repeated by any other researchers.
#2. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. Do you think scientists should use discarded embryos from fertility clinics to conduct human embryonic stem cell research? Do you think this source of embryos addresses the concerns of those who do not want to see embryos destroyed for research purposes? Explain which of the main groups of ethical approaches is most influential in your thinking about this issue and why, for example what consequence(s)/outcomes [Teleology], or right(s) [Rights] or intuitions/conscience [Intuitionism], or duty/laws or responsibilities [Deontology] are most important for you in your thinking.
Choose one of the following questions to answer:
#3. Frozen Embryos. Mary Sue and John Smith had tried for nine years to get pregnant. She had five tubal pregnancies and a few serious surgeries. The Smiths learned about a clinic that does in vitro fertilization (IVF) of as many as 12 eggs, then implants some and freezes the rest. This sounded like a solution. Mary Sue couldnt undergo too many more operations. She had 9 eggs removed and all 9 were fertilized. Only two were implanted and 7 were frozen. Now Mary Sue and her husband are asking for a divorce in court. But the question being raised by their attorney is Who will get custody of the frozen embryos? A. Should Mary Sue or John have custody of the frozen embryos? Why? B. If either Mary Sue or John decides after the divorce that she or he wants to have some of the remaining embryos implanted in a surrogate, should their former spouse be consulted? Why/why not? C. If the former spouse should be consulted, should his or her consent be required? Why or why not?
#4. Do you think using Human Gene Transfer (HGT) to prevent genetic predispositions and diseases is a medical goal or an enhancement goal? [Shannon T.A. and Kockler, N.J. An Introduction to Bioethics: Fourth Edition. 2009. (Paulist Press, NY/Mahwah, NJ) p.245 q. 3]. Explain in detail which ethical principles or points of view are most influential in your thinking about this case (e.g. a Deontological, Teleological, Intuitional or Rights approach–or some combination of approaches).
#5. Enhancement Goal. Is there any difference between sending a child to a high-quality school to enhance his or her intellectual capabilities and trying to do this through genetic interventions? [Shannon T.A. and Kockler, N.J. An Introduction to Bioethics: Fourth Edition. 2009. (Paulist Press, NY/Mahwah, NJ) p.245 q. 7]. Explain in detail which ethical principles or points of view are most influential in your thinking about this case (e.g. a Deontological, Teleological, Intuitional or Rights approach–or some combination of approaches).
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