Teaching about ethics and other sources of controversy in science class.

In a post about curricular issues in genetics and biochemistry courses, Larry Moran raises some good questions:

It’s almost a requirement these days that introductory genetics courses include a section on genetically modified crops. This invariably leads to tutorials, or labs, or essays, about whether GM-foods are a good thing or not. These discussions are usually lots of fun and the students enjoy this part of the course. Professors are convinced they are teaching ethics and that it’s a good thing to show students that ethics is an important part of science.
In introductory biochemistry courses we often have a section on fuel metabolism. That’s the part of biochemistry that deals specifically with how your food is converted to energy. It’s human biochemistry. In that section of the course the Professor often raises the question of proper diet. Is it okay to eat meat? Are trans fatty acids bad for you? Should you be eating carbohydrates? Our experience is that Professors who teach this section often have very strong opinions and their personal ethical stance is portrayed as scientific fact.
These are two different cases. In the first one, the question is whether the value of debating controversial “ethical” issues outweighs the disadvantages. The biggest downside, in my opinion, is the emphasis on technology as opposed to pure basic science. By giving prominence to “ethical” issues we are emphasizing the consequences of genetic knowledge as it relates to the human condition. …
Part of the problem arises from a desire to please the students. How often do we hear the complaint that students aren’t interested in biochemistry and genetics? The students are bored by science so we have to add sections on genetically modified foods and genetic screening to our introductory genetics courses. Isn’t this strange? Rather than concentrate on making the basic science as interesting and exciting as possible, we cater to the students by giving them the topics they think are interesting. That’s no way to educate.
There’s another problem; what is ethics? Sometimes it’s hard to see the difference between simple controversy and ethics. Sometimes it’s hard to define exactly what “ethics” is all about in spite of the fact that “bioethics” is one of the biggest growth industries in science. Here’s where a philosopher or two could weigh in.

Hey, I’m a philosopher! Here’s my take:

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Nota bene.

Since I’ll be in transit much of the day today, it may take longer than usual for your comments to appear. Imagine yourself in soladarity with me in a line at an airport.
In the meantime, here’s who’s on notice:

Friday Sprog Blogging: what’s for dinner?

The past week or so, I’ve been on a little bit of a cooking jag. This has not gone unnoticed by the Free-Ride offspring.
Elder offspring: Why have you been making us so many yummy things to eat this week?
Dr. Free-Ride: I guess I’m going to miss cooking for you while I’m away at the conference this weekend.
Younger offspring: (with a melodramatic look of anguish) You won’t be here this weekend!
Elder offspring: But since your shuttle to the airport comes at 4:20, we can see you tomorrow when we come home from school and before we go to ice skating.
Dr. Free-Ride: Uh, no, my shuttle comes at 4:20 AM.
Younger offspring: There’s a 4:20 AM??
Dr. Free-Ride: I was surprised at that, too!

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Not entirely random accumulation of items.

I’ve decided that the “intersession” we have between semesters is a cruel hoax. Though it promises a few weeks in which one might actually get some writing done, what it delivers is an endless list of tasks (many spawned by bureaucracy) that one must scurry to accomplish before the next semester starts. Feh!
As I’ve been scurrying, I’ve accumulated some items I’d like to share:

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File this away.

Because everyone is doing it, here’s the card catalog entry for this here blog:

I miss physical card catalogs. I would totally buy one for Casa Free-Ride if I could get my hands on one. (Although, would buying them up amount to contributing to their demise in libraries?) The sprogs have only ever dealt with online library catalogs, which I think is a shame. And they don’t know from 8-tracks!
*Sigh*
Anyway, you are invited to make your own and report back on it.

Online party to shut down Berube’s blog.

You may have heard that the very dangerous professor is putting his blog on mothballs so he can play more hockey. But, it’s not over until the WAAGNFNP Minister of Justice says it’s over. And, she says (at comment 71 on this post) “We Are All Giant Nuclear Fireball. Now Party!“:

Le Blogue-WAAGNFNP Blowout Party

WAAGNFNP High Council Club

Saturday, Jan. 13th 8pm Eastern

Doors open at 7:30pm

I’ll be bringing a bag of lemons, a bag of sugar, and a case of Absolute Citron, so make sure you have your USB shotglass handy.