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.

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.