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Episode One: The Tree of Life
Activity 1: The Human Genome Project: Talk Show Time!
Grades 9-12
Objectives:
- Students will investigate recent developments in understanding the
genetic relationship of living things on Earth.
- Students will discuss the role of microbes in the "Tree of Life."
- Students will research the history, purpose, and current controversies
about the Human Genome Project.
- Students will compare different perspectives about the Human Genome
Project in a talk show forum and make a personal decision about this
research.
Ties to Broadcast and Web Sites:
Procedure for Classroom Activity:
- Begin this activity by discussing what a "family tree" is and draw
one on the board for an example. Compare this "family tree" to the idea
of a "Tree of Life" which is designed to show the exact genetic relationship
of all living things on Earth. Announce to students that there are different
points of view about the value and ethics of doing this kind of research
and that they will be researching these points of view in this activity
by looking at the Human Genome Project.
- Show the program, "Intimate Strangers: Tree of Life," taking time
to stop and discuss questions during the program. Ask students to chart
how the idea of a "tree of life" has changed over time. Discuss with
students the various methods used by researchers to better understand
the role of DNA in the "Tree of Life." What shocking discoveries did
scientists unearth about the "Tree of Life?" What is the role of microbes
in the "Tree of Life?" Contrast the role of microbes and humans during
the 4.5 billion years of Earth's history. Discuss the controversy about
whether this kind of research diminishes the role of humans as "beings
apart" from other life or whether it helps us gain a deeper understanding
of our role in the universe.
- Discuss the history and purpose of the Human Genome Project (see
web resources listed above.) Tell students that they will be using this
information to do research in order to develop an individual position
paper that outlines the pros and cons of the Human Genome Project and
explains their personal opinion about the value of this program.
- Next, organize the students into groups to research and prepare to
role-play an individual with a particular point of view about the HGP
in a talk show panel discussion format. Each group will select one student
to role-play one of the following roles and practice with him/her for
participation in the talk show:
* the Director of the Human Genome Project, who would be able to discuss
the purpose and status of the project and defend the value of the research,
* person opposed to the Human Genome Project for religious, social,
legal, or ethical reasons
* parent of an ill child, who hopes that genetic research using the
HGP information could result in a cure for his/her child, and
* guest who believes that the costs of the HGP are too high, and that
the money should be used instead for funding traditional, scientific
research or other important concerns in society.
The role of the television host could either be played by the teacher
or a student. This individual will be responsible for beginning the
interviews of the panel guests and for facilitating questions from the
student audience.
- Conduct the talk show program, making sure that all panelists have
the opportunity to share their points of view about the Human Genome
Project and the students in the audience have the opportunity to ask
questions.
- At the end of the talk show program, all students will be asked to
debrief the arguments they heard in favor of and against the Human Genome
Project. Which point of view was the most convincing? Why? What other
information is needed?
- Then ask students to reflect on what they learned from listening to
the various viewpoints and make a final decision on the merits of the
Human Genome Project.
- Encourage the students to share their decisions with the community,
possibly in a Letter to the Editor, or to post their personal conclusions
about the Human Genome Project on the web for others to consider.
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