Teaching Ethical Aspects of Science

This book was a product of the Science, Ethics and Education project. It contains materials which can be used to develop an awareness of ethical analysis and the distinction between providing and analysing evidence.

Aims
The overall aim was to give teachers practical advice on teaching ethical aspects of science. Specifically the purpose of the book was to encourage an awareness of:

• ethical analysis as a rigorous mode of thought, in order to avoid the discussion moral aspects of science-based issues being merely a diffuse gathering of opinins
• the distinction between providing and analysing evidence (when science operates) and acting on evidence (when ethics operates)
• the role of ethical analysis in dealing with personal and social issues.

Guidance
The materials are presented as examples of ways of dealing with ethical aspects of science in the classroom and can be used as a guide to curriculum developers to construct their own. Background material for teachers is included, with accounts of the principles and methods of teaching theories of ethics and ideas.

Contents of this book:
Chapter 1: Principles and methods
Chapter 2: An introduction to ethics
Chapter 3: Teaching and learning strategies

Case Study 1: Should Methyl Bromide be used as a pesticide
Case Study 2: Should we invest in ethanol as the future fuel?
Case Study 3: Ethical considerations in the personal use of energy
Case Study 4: Genetics and ethics: goals, rights and duties
Case Study 5: What is normal?
Case Study 6: The universality of science
Case Study 7: Using living things
Case Study 8: Professional ethics: how do scientists approach their work?
Case study 9: Cars - good and bad consequences
Further case studies