modified 2018 Frankenstein Culminating Activity Cloning / Genetic Engineering: Mad Scientists or Responsible Citizens?

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1 modified 18 Frankenstein Culminating Activity Cloning / Genetic Engineering: Mad Scientists or Responsible Citizens? DUE: Mary Shelley s disdain for the New Science prompts us to think about similar issues in our own lives is science for its own sake good science, or is it bad if it disturbs a natural balance? What exactly is a natural balance, and what constitutes science? The novel raised these questions during the Romantic period, and we are still trying to answer them today. One might argue that an integral part of being a good citizen of a country is having the welfare of its people as a guiding force in the decision making process. We have both moral and ethical responsibilities, not only to ourselves, but to the society as a whole. One element of New Science that has forced us to look at our moral and ethical responsibilities is that of cloning or genetic engineering. In his 03 State of the Union Address, President Bush called for a ban on cloning. Bush limited the use of taxpayer money to only the 21 stem cell lines that had been produced before his decision. He argued he was defending human life because days-old embryos -- although typically from fertility clinics and already destined for destruction -- are destroyed to create the stem cell lines. He has also been quoted saying We live in a time of tremendous medical progress. A little more than [several years] ago, scientists first cracked the human genetic code -- one of the most important advances in scientific history. Our age may be known to history as the age of genetic medicine, a time when many of the most feared illnesses were overcome. Our age must also be defined by the care and restraint and responsibility with which we take up these new scientific powers. All of us believe in the promise of modern medicine. We're hopeful about where science may take us. And [we] also believe in the principles of ethical medicine. As we seek to improve human life, we must always preserve human dignity. And therefore, we must prevent human cloning by stopping it before it starts. In 09, Obama overturned Bush s policy on stem cells. Instead, he allowed federal taxpayer dollars to fund significantly broader research on embryonic stem cells because "medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," and promised his administration would make up for the ground lost under his predecessor. He signed an executive order expected to set in motion increased research that supporters believe could uncover cures for serious ailments from diabetes to paralysis. Obama's action, before a packed East Room audience, reversed former President George W. Bush's policy on stem cell research by undoing a 01 directive that banned federal funding for research into stem lines created after that date. Fast forward almost 10 years and, to date, Trump hasn t made any public comments about research involving stem cells, human embryos, or gene editing. But researchers live in fear of an incendiary tweet or a sudden announcement of policies that restrict research. They feel they are at risk because of how sensitive technologies have hurtled forward during Trump s first 10 months in office. Just this year, U.S. researchers demonstrated a working artificial womb, used CRISPR to correct a genetic defect in human embryos, took strides toward manufacturing synthetic embryos, and moved forward with an in vitro fertilization procedure that uses DNA from three biological parents. Mr. Trump has not paid attention to us. It would not be good if he paid attention to us, Gerald Schatten, a stem-cell researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, told a gathering of 130 fertility experts from 30 countries at a conference at New York s Plaza Hotel in October. Researchers are concerned that any one of the new advances could prompt steps by the Trump administration to limit science, similar to President George W. Bush s restrictions on federal funding for stem-cell research in 01. It s difficult to say if Bush, or now, Trump, holds the same disdain of new science that Shelley did. But the real question is: Where do you stand on this topic? Do you agree with Bush and Shelley s position, are you somewhere in the middle, as is Obama, or is Victor Frankenstein s Faustian pursuit truly a noble one, and further, is it a necessary obligation of a responsible citizen?

2 Your Task: modified 18 Pick a side of the argument For or Against Cloning / genetic engineering (or somewhere in between) & create a website (Weebly is preferred no Tumbler or other sites blocked by the school firewall) for the purpose of persuasion be sure to use persuasive techniques, both rhetorical and visual. You will, then, do research to support your assumptions this MUST include speeches, news articles, medical journals, and other professional studies. You will also need to find information that negates your ideas. The purpose, here, is to address the opposing view and then provide specific factual information to counter that view (all negations must be cited) 2 oppositions & 2 negations. In addition to your research, you will need to cite passages or quotes from Shelley s novel AND the other secondary sources that we used (Faust, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, etc ) that support your position, and include them in your presentation You will then compile all of your information into a folder. Include: o Cover page with group members names o Print out of your website (screen shots) o ALL researched information used in your project o Properly formatted works cited page Your website MUST have the following tabs/pages: TABS REQUIRED INFO PNTS. #1 Title page / Include creative title and group members names 10 points #2 SCIENTIFIC The scientific developments of the 18 th & 19 th century that gave Shelley the idea for her novel DEVELOPMENTS OF THE 18 TH & 19 TH CENTURY #3 INTRODUCTION Your introduction and what we can expect to see (what you will prove this is a thesis) #4 Your first point (this comes from your thesis and should be at the top of the page) include researched evidence AND quotes from the texts (MLA=3 / labeled on top of page=5 / quote from text[novel or other pieces] that supports point=5/ researched quote supports pnt.=5 / related graphic=2) #5-6 Your other points (make sure each page has the point at the top) 60 points ( for each of the 3 points) NOTE: You may have all 3 points on the same page, but you need to separate them very clearly. Be sure to label researched info and novel or other text info Should present the counter arguments and your negations (each should be clearly labeled) 2 COUNTER ARGUMENTS AND 2 NEGATIONS do a column for counter arguments and a column for the negations for each #7 COUNTER ARGUMENTS AND NEGATIONS #8 CONCLUSION AND SUMMATION #9 THEMES FROM NOVEL AND HOW THEY RELATE TODAY Conclusion and summation of points Explanation of novels relevance 0 years later through a discussion of the applicable themes MUST DISCUSS AT LEAST 5 THEMES FROM NOVEL AND HOW THEY RELATE TODAY #10 WORKS CITED Reference page/ Works Cited (MLA format make sure to also cite sources on all pages pictures, too) If you are not sure on the MLA format, I EXPECT you to look up the information! Grammar and Spelling Creativity & Design Site has been fully edited to be free of errors in grammar, usage and mechanics / Writing style is deeply engaging The project reflects an exceptional degree of student creativity/originality / Page layout is creative and effective / The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, neatness, unity and consistency 50 points Folder Submit all required information in report cover 40 points TOTAL 300 pnts.

3 EACH MUST BE CLEARLY LABELED modified 18 Remember, your pages should be persuasive in nature: visually (use pictures that will have a strong impact on each page), rhetorically and organizationally. DO YOUR VERY BEST JOB!!! DO NOT HALF-DO THIS ASSIGNMENT UNLESS YOU WANT A HALF DONE GRADE! Minute Limit Worth 300 points Presentation worth 50 points Total project points =350

4 Frankenstein Culminating Activity Grade Sheet 18 TABS REQUIRED INFO Pnts. Poss. Tab #1 Title page is creative, colorful and persuasive 10 Tab #2 Tab #3 Points pages/tabs #4-6 The scientific developments of the 18 th & 19 th century that gave Shelley the idea for her novel Your introduction and what we can expect to see (what you will prove this is a thesis) Your first point (this comes from your thesis and should be at the top of the page) include researched evidence and quotes from the texts (MLA=3 / labeled on top of slide=5 / quote from text that supports point=5/ researched quote supports pnt.=5 / related graphic=2) 60 ( for each of the 3 points) Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Labeled on top 15 Quote from novel or other text used 15 Researched info 15 Related Graphic 6 2 PNTS EACH MLA citations 9 3 PNTS EACH Tab #7 Should present the counter arguments and your negations (each should be clearly labeled) 2 COUNTER ARGUMENTS AND 2 NEGATIONS do a column for counter arguments and a column for the negations for each Tab #8 Conclusion and summation of points Tab #9 Explanation of novels relevance 0 years later through a discussion of the applicable themes MUST DISCUSS AT LEAST 5 THEMES FROM NOVEL AND HOW THEY RELATE TODAY Tab #10 Reference Slide / Works Cited (MLA format) Grammar & spelling Creativity & Design The project reflects an exceptional degree of student creativity/originality / Page layout is creative and effective / The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, neatness, unity and consistency Folder 40 TOTAL 300 points COMMENTS: 50 modified 18 Pnts. Earned

5 Individual Presentation Grades modified 18 STUDENTS NAMES 1. Maintains eye contact 10 pnts. & doesn t read presentation 2. Doesn t fidget 10 pnts. 3. Is Enthusiastic 10 pnts. 4. Speaks clearly, loudly and slowly 5. Appropriate Manners (respects time limit / no gum chewing / rude comments / etc ) PRESENTATION TOTAL 10 pnts. 10 pnts. 50 pnts. TOTAL PROJECT AND PRESENTATION GRADE GROUP PEER EVAL SCORE % TOTAL SCORE OUT OF 350 PNTS