Animal Research

Unit B3 - Topic 2: Behaviour in Humans and other Animals

It also explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals by humans.

Guidance for students: Do animals have rights?

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to:

• Consider the ethical, contemporary and social issues.

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:
Human behaviour in relation to other animals;

• Humans have exploited other animals; originally hunters, they domesticated animals that helped them hunt; as humans developed agriculture, humans exploited herd animals to provide constant and dependable source of food.
• Humans have exploited animals in other ways, as a source of clothing and domestic materials and, more recently, for medical purposes.
• Humans also use animals as a source of entertainment (hunting, racing, circuses and wildlife parks) and companionship (pets).
• Human now debate of the use of animals in these different ways; some consider that animals have rights comparable or identical to humans, others consider such beliefs are not tenable.

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Designer Babies

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Are we able to cure genetic diseases?; Should you be allowed to choose the sex of your baby?

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues.

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Reproduction;

• Allowing people to choose the sex of their baby may skew the sex balance of the population and may lead to other choices being permitted - including colour of eyes.
• Ethical implications of reproductive research.

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Drug Trials

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Will scientists be able to make me a personalised medicine?; Who owns the medicine if the original plants come from a different country?

Learning objectives:

• The pharmaceutical industry generates a lot of money annually and consideration of the contributors to profit and its distribution is needed.
• Stem cell research must consider many ethical questions, including the definition of 'Life'. Organisms can be genetically modified to produce substances, including medicines that are of direct use to human health.

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues.

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Unit B3: Topic 2 - Behaviour in Humans and other Animals

It also explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals by humans.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to:

• Consider the ethical, contemporary and social issues.

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Human behaviour in relation to other animals;

• Humans have exploited animals in other ways, as a source of clothing and domestic materials and, more recently, for medical purposes.

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GM Crops

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Is genetically modified food safe to eat?; Do genetically modified organisms harm the environment?

Learning objectives:

• Plants can be modified to be resistant to herbicides and/or pests and this has environmental implications

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Plant Modification;

• Weed control to reduce loss of food supplies by genetically modifying crops to ensure they are resistant to herbicides
• The ethics of genetic modification particularly its use in developing countries

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Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Is genetically modified food safe to eat?; Do genetically modified organisms harm the environment?

Learning objectives:

• Plants can be modified to be resistant to herbicides and/or pests and this has environmental implications
• Stem cell research must consider many ethical questions, including the definition of 'Life'. Organisms can be genetically modified to produce substances, including medicines that are of direct use to human health

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Plant Modification;

• Weed control to reduce loss of food supplies by genetically modifying crops to ensure they are resistant to herbicides
• The ethics of genetic modification particularly its use in developing countries

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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Are we able to cure genetic diseases?; Should you be allowed to choose the sex of your baby?

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Reproduction;

• Allowing people to choose the sex of their baby may skew the sex balance of the population and may lead to other choices being permitted - including colour of eyes
• Ethical implications of reproductive research

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Pharmacogenetics

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Will scientists be able to make me a personalised medicine?; Are we able to cure genetic diseases?

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Stem Cells

Unit B3: Topic 1 - Biotechnology

As with all new developments, advances in biotechnology raises new ethical questions which will be considered in this topic.

Guidance for students: Will scientists be able to make me a personalised medicine?; Are we able to cure genetic diseases?

Learning objectives:

• Stem cell research must consider many ethical questions, including the definition of 'Life'. Organisms can be genetically modified to produce substances, including medicines that are of direct use to human health

Glossary: Biotechnology, ethics, genetic engineering, genetic modification, stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Consider ethical, contemporary and social issues

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:

Reproduction;

• Stem cell research and therapies as possible treatments for disease such as Parkinson's disease
• Ethical implications of reproductive research

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