Las432 Week 2 Topic Selection And Proposalthis Week Youwill Select Y ✓ Solved
LAS432_Week 2_Topic Selection and Proposal This week, you will select your topic of research for the Course Project. You will need to define the chosen topic, provide a brief description of the emergent technology, and provide a plan to help you move forward with your research and organization processes. Use the template below to produce your Team Topic Selection and Proposal. Each team member must submit a copy of the Topic Selection and Team Proposal this week. This assignment is worth 50 points. (The topic is Gene Editing) Step 1: Identify your team and team members Step 2: Identity your topic. · Provide a paragraph length topic description. · Define any terms or technologies as needed.
Step 3: Outline major ethical concerns. · What are the key ethical concerns circulating your topics? · What is the relationship between your selected technology and ethics? · Generate a list of at least three ethical questions. Step 4: Identify a potential argument. · Propose a preliminary thesis statement that makes a value judgment about your selected technology. Step 5: Identify potential subtopics for investigation. · List potential subsections or subtopics that will help explore your technology and the ethical concerns it engages. · Provide brief descriptions of potential subtopics. Step 6: Divide responsibilities. · Identify which team member will be working on each subtopic for the project.
Step 7: Reflect on your role. · Individual Reflection: This section should be developed individually for each team member as part of his or her individual submissions. · What will your role be? · What is your topic? · How does your topic relate to your proposed thesis statement? · What is your research plan for moving forward? Grading Rubric Total: 50 Content Points Selects appropriate topic and defines key ethical concerns 10 Provides a tentative thesis statement and previews areas to be explored 20 Provides a detailed team and individual plan for next steps 20 Total 50 Don't forget to submit your assignment. Top of Form Bottom of Form Step 8: Fill out and complete the Team Charter. Attach. When you are finished, make copies and distribute to group members and the instructor.
Paper for above instructions
LAS432 Week 2 Topic Selection and Proposal: Gene Editing
Step 1: Team Identification
Team Name: Innovation in Ethics
Team Members:
1. John Doe
2. Jane Smith
3. Alex Johnson
4. Emily Wang
Step 2: Topic Identification
Topic Description:
Gene editing refers to a range of technologies that allow scientists to alter the DNA of an organism. Primarily associated with CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), gene editing techniques enable precise modifications of genetic material, offering potential solutions to genetic diseases, enhanced agricultural traits, and even solutions to climate change (Lander, 2016). The emergence of gene editing technology has transformed biotechnology, leading not only to groundbreaking advancements but also to significant ethical debates regarding its application, particularly regarding human germline modifications. Germline editing refers to changes made to the DNA in sperm, eggs, or embryos, which can be inherited by future generations (Doudna, 2017).
Step 3: Major Ethical Concerns
The relationship between gene editing and ethics is substantial, particularly concerning the potential to create "designer babies," genetic discrimination, and the long-term consequences of altering human DNA. Major ethical concerns surrounding gene editing include:
1. Safety and Efficacy: The risks involved with gene editing are uncertain. What safeguards are necessary to prevent unintended genetic consequences?
2. Equity: Could gene editing technologies exacerbate social inequalities by being available primarily to wealthy individuals?
3. Consent: How can we ethically navigate consent for gene editing on embryos, who cannot provide consent themselves?
Ethical Questions:
1. Should scientists be allowed to use gene editing technologies to modify human embryos?
2. How do we ensure equitable access to gene editing technologies across different socioeconomic groups?
3. What are the implications of creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on biodiversity and ecological balance?
Step 4: Preliminary Thesis Statement
While gene editing technologies such as CRISPR offer revolutionary approaches to addressing genetic disorders and enhancing agricultural outputs, the ethical implications surrounding their potential misuse necessitate stringent regulatory frameworks to protect against inequities and unforeseen consequences.
Step 5: Potential Subtopics for Investigation
To explore the complexities of gene editing and its ethical implications, we propose the following subtopics:
1. History of Gene Editing Technologies: An overview of the development of gene editing from early genetic engineering to CRISPR technology. This section will provide context for the current state of the field and its potential (Ledford, 2015).
2. Ethical Implications of Germline Editing: This subtopic will delve into the specific ethical dilemmas posed by gene editing in human embryos, touching on consent and the potential psychological impact on genetically modified individuals (Harris, 2016).
3. Societal Impacts and Equity Concerns: An examination of how gene editing might deepen existing inequalities, analyzing who has access and the societal implications of genetic enhancements (Petersen & Ravn, 2019).
4. Environmental Considerations and Gene Editing in Agriculture: Discuss how gene editing can impact agricultural practices and biodiversity, noting the benefits and risks associated with modifying crops (Gressel, 2018).
5. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Analyze existing laws governing gene editing practices in various countries, including the debate surrounding the need for an international regulatory body (Scott, 2020).
Step 6: Responsibilities Division
Team Member Responsibilities:
1. John Doe: History of Gene Editing Technologies
2. Jane Smith: Ethical Implications of Germline Editing
3. Alex Johnson: Societal Impacts and Equity Concerns
4. Emily Wang: Environmental Considerations and Gene Editing in Agriculture
5. John Doe: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Step 7: Individual Reflection
Role: My role in our team is to explore the ethical implications of germline editing.
Topic: I will focus on how gene editing technologies raise ethical dilemmas, especially regarding consent and the long-term implications for modified individuals.
Relation to Thesis Statement: This topic directly relates to the thesis statement, as it emphasizes that while gene editing holds promise, the ethical concerns must be addressed by establishing robust regulatory mechanisms.
Research Plan: My research plan includes reviewing scholarly articles and books focusing on bioethics, gene editing case studies, and legislative texts concerning genome alteration. I will also review journalistic resources that discuss public perception and societal debate.
References
1. Doudna, J. A. (2017). A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
2. Gressel, J. (2018). Plant Genetic Modification and the Ecological Perspective: Science, Ethics, and Regulation. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 56, 519-540.
3. Harris, J. (2016). Enhancing Evolution: The Ethical Case for Making Better People. Princeton University Press.
4. Lander, E. S. (2016). The Heroes of CRISPR. Cell, 167(1), 7-10.
5. Ledford, H. (2015). CRISPR: Gene Editing Is Just the Beginning. Nature, 527(7578), 22-25.
6. Petersen, J. B., & Ravn, M. (2019). The Ethics of Gene Editing: A Review of the Arguments. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 116(10), 2765-2774.
7. Scott, C. (2020). The Legal Regulation of Gene Editing in Food Production: An International Perspective. Journal of Food Law and Policy, 16(2), 223-269.
8. Cyranoski, D. (2019). Chinese Scientist Defends Work on ‘Designer Babies’. Nature, 577(7792), 375.
9. Yu, H. (2021). The Technology and Ethics of Editing Human Genes: Exploring the Moral Dimensions. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 18(1), 15-29.
10. Venter, J. C. (2019). Life at the Speed of Light: From the Double Helix to the Dawn of Digital Life. Viking Press.
This proposal serves as a foundational step for a thorough investigation into gene editing and its ethical ramifications, ensuring that all team members are aligned and equipped for effective collaboration.