PCB3060 Paper instructions Prof. S. Williams

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Course Paper Guidelines

Overview As citizens of the 21st Century it is no exaggeration to claim that we are witnessing the ascendency of the biotechnological age. Rapid and dramatic advances in genetics have had profound impacts upon scientific, medical and environmental technologies and have radically altered the understanding of ourselves as human organisms within a global ecosystem. Such scientific progress has undoubtedly raised important ethical and often controversial issues which play significant roles in determining how we view, act and manage ourselves within an ever-changing social context catalyzed by the technologies we create. In this activity students will explore some of these polemics and develop well-informed positions within the sphere of public discourse.

You are required to write a short argumentative essay on any ONE of the genetics- based bioethical issues listed below:

1. Should public and private entities such as insurers, employers, courts, schools,

adoption agencies, and the military have access to personal genetic information?

2. Does genomic sequencing help or harm minority communities?

3. Will increased access to genetic information lead society to more discrimination?

4. Is the use of fetal genetic screening unethical?

5. Should parents have to right to choose their children based on genetics?

6. Should genetic testing be performed for diseases when no treatment is

available?

7. Should parents have the right to have their minor children tested for adult-onset

diseases?

8. Do genetically modified foods and organisms pose a serious threat to public

health and the environment?

9. Are GMOs beneficial to the development of Third World countries?

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS • Your paper MUST contain well supported arguments made on BOTH sides of the

issue you selected. The arguments should include in-text citations from scholarly articles, studies and scientific reports (e.g. using Google Scholar or MDC library databases). Avoid the overuse of quotations. The conclusion of the essay must include your own opinion (with justification) on the topic.

• Your paper should be 3 – 4 pages in length (min: 3, max: 4) typed, default- spaced (1.5) 12-pt font. A bibliography is REQUIRED in APA format and is not included in your page count. Do not add cover pages, photos, charts or diagrams to your review. This is an assessment of your original writing so please

PCB3060 Paper instructions Prof. S. Williams

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review the College’s policies on academic dishonesty and plagiarism at https://www.mdc.edu/rightsandresponsibilities/.

The paper will be graded on the following components:

Paper Component Points Awarded Introduction & definition of terms 5

Affirmative arguments, with examples 10 Negative arguments, with examples 10

Evidence cited 5 Author’s conclusion/opinion 10

Bibliography 5 Presentation (spelling, grammar, creativity) 5

Total 50 An “A” Paper/Essay: A paper that is exceptional. It is interesting or unusual and demonstrates sophistication of thought. The main points are clear, complex, well developed, and well supported. The structure of the paper follows a clear logical organization, and all sources are critically examined. The sources are current, relevant, of high quality, and well-integrated in the paper. The paper is free of grammatical and spelling errors. A “B” Paper/Essay: A paper that is solid and fulfills the assignment. It has a clear logic but minor lapses in development. It touches on the complexity of the argument and shows careful reading of the sources. The structure follows a logical progression of ideas, but not all evidence is clearly related to the main ideas. It may contain a few grammatical problems, but not enough to make reading difficult. A “C” Paper/Essay: A paper that is adequate but less effective in responding to the assignment. It presents the central idea in general terms and demonstrates basic comprehension of the sources. It is difficult to find a logical structure to the argument, and the paper often relies on generalizations or unrelated examples. Sentences may be awkward or confusing enough to make reading difficult. A “D” Paper/Essay: A paper that does not respond to the assignment. The argument may be too vague or there is little complexity to the ideas. The organizations can be difficult to follow, and the paper offers insufficient evidence from the literature. No integration of the literature reviewed is evident. An “F” Paper/Essay: A paper that does not respond to the assignment, has no central argument, and uses no sources. There is little apparent organization. There is no supporting evidence, or it is irrelevant.

DEADLINE & SUBMISSION:

PAPER IS DUE ON • MONDAY NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! • The paper must be uploaded to a designated Turnitin Folder on Blackboard • Turnitin matching report must NOT exceed 20%. Papers exceeding 20%

will not be accepted and will receive an automatic zero grade. • OPTIONAL: Students may submit an early draft for review by the professor. The

“draft” must be a COMPLETE paper with less than 20% Turnitin match and must be submitted as a MS Word Document (.doc/.docx) attachment via email no later than November 7, 2022.

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