Ethics Paper Guide and Rubric (Video explanation)
Goal: Your goal is to think about a large scale ethical issue related to microbiology in which decisions must be made that affect many people. You will describe the microbiology information related to the issue, and then provide two possible decisions, and the pros and cons of these decisions.At the end, you will choose one of the two options, and explain your decision. Understanding and relating microbiology scientific concepts to a complex problem is the key here.
Choice of Topics
The topic should include an ethical dilemma related to a topic in microbiology where there are multiple possible options, none of which are clearly completely right or complete wrong
The topic should be considered from a broad perspective, such as public health, where the choices affect different groups in different ways.
Topics may include areas such as:
Genetic engineering (related to microbes)
Disease spread, prevention, and treatment
Environmental microbiology including pollution and remediation
Use of microbes to create products
Use of animals/humans/tissues/etc. in microbial applications
Immunology, vaccines, and drugs related to immune responses
It is recommended that your choice of topic be approved by your instructor
The information required for this assignment may come from a number of different places, all of which must be cited at the end of the assignment and in-text when these facts are mentioned. These places include:
Peer-reviewed studies from scholarly journals
The OpenStax Microbiology textbook or Microbiology Lab book
Other texts or books written by verified authors in their fields
Websites providing scientific information from verified sources, preferably primary sources
Generally this will NOT include most .org sites unless verified as medical/scientific research sources
Good online sources often include educational institutions (.edu) and government labs (.gov)
Other sources that have been checked with and vetted by your instructor
Formatting (if these are not correct, your paper will be returned ungraded)
Typed and in a single document (.docx, .pdf, Googledoc shared directly with **************************************** style=”font-weight: 400; font-size: 11pt; cursor: auto; color: inherit;” aria-level=”1″>
Font size 11 or 12
Double spaced
Left justified
Paragraphs are indented
Formal writing style (minimal use of pronouns such as “I” “you”)
Complete sentences
Minimal spelling/grammar issues
No quotes, paraphrase everything into your own words
Cite all facts in-text using the (Author(s) last name(s), year). style
Specifications of Content (ALL of these must be complete for the paper to count)
Introduction of the topic (1 paragraph)
Tell what the topic is
Provide a brief explanation of why this is an ethical issue
Note some of the possible alternatives or conflicting issues
Sufficient background data for a layperson to understand the topic (1-2 paragraphs)
Explain all scientific terms and concepts in easy to follow language
Provide details of similar or related experiments and data that can help place this topic in context
Identification of stakeholders (1 paragraph)
3 (or more) groups of people/animals/etc that are affected by the problem and have an interest in one or more specific outcomes
Here are examples of possible stakeholders:
Professions, such as doctors
Age groups, such as those over 65
People with a particular disease or disease category (immunocompromised)
Nationalities or ethnicities
Regulating agency, such as the CDC or FDA
Any other identifiable group of people with a similar piece of identity
For EACH group mentioned:
Tell why this topic affects them
What voice they have in the actions
What their priorities are likely to be in regard to the issue, i.e., what would they most likely want to see happen
Provide at least 2 different possible actions that could be taken related to your topic
These actions should be broad and affect large groups of people in different ways
These should not be individual choices
The actions are often opposite of each other, some examples include:
Allowing a particular type of experiment/procedure OR banning it
Requiring certain public safety measures (vaccines, etc.) OR making them optional
Changing procedures for the future OR leaving them as they are
For EACH action (1-2 paragraphs PER action)
Note the benefits of that action, which stakeholders would benefit, and what benefits would be received
Note the possible consequences of that action, which stakeholders would experience these consequences, and possible outcomes
Provide factual evidence for both benefits and consequences
You may present some benefits/consequences that are proposed, but do not yet show evidence, but be clear about what these are, and give the logical process that suggests these proposed benefits/consequences would occur
Cite in-text ALL factual evidence using the (Author(s) last name(s), year). Style
Paraphrase into your own words – do not quote OR make minor changes from quotes
A 1-3 sentence summarizing conclusion (1 paragraph)
Your personal choice of the best action
The evidence from your paper that lead you to that position
Complete Citations
At least 3 good scientific sources beyond class material
Any existing citation style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago) is fine so long as it is consistent
Here is an example paper I wrote on a non-microbiology topic to give you a sense of the style, layout, format, and expectations.
Outline
It is recommended that you start with an outline. This outline is worth a single point on its own so long as every question is answered and there are COMPLETE citations at the end with at least 3 good scientific sources beyond class material. Any existing citation style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago) is fine so long as it is consistent
The outline should still follow these formatting specifications:
Typed and in a single document (.docx, .pdf, Googledoc shared directly with **************************************** style=”font-weight: 400; font-size: 11pt; cursor: auto; color: inherit;” aria-level=”1″>
Font size 11 or 12
Double spaced
Left justified
No quotes, paraphrase everything into your own words
You should not use complete sentences to answer these questions, bullet points and fragments are sufficient. Do include enough information to describe each item.You do not need to add the in-text citations unless it is helpful for you.
On the next page, you will find the questions that you should copy and paste to answer for the outline.
Outline of Ethics Paper: copy and paste these questions directly into your document
Introduction
What is the ethical dilemma you are examining?
What makes this an ethical dilemma?
Why is there not a clear right/wrong?
Background
What are the key scientific terms and concepts needed to understand this topic? List and describe these in understandable language.
Are there similar or related experiments and data that can help place this topic in context? Provide these and describe them.
Stakeholders
Who are the individuals or groups affected by this decision? Determine at least 3 groups of people affected who would see this issue from different angles.
For EACH group
Why does this topic affect them?
What voice do they have in the possible actions?
What are their priorities related to the topic and what would be their preferred outcome?
What is one possible action or direction that could be taken related to this ethical dilemma?
What are the benefits of that action? Provide benefits that can be backed up with factual evidence from good sources.
Which stakeholders would benefit and how does this relate to their priorities?
What are the consequences of that action? Provide consequences that can be backed up with factual evidence from good sources.
Which stakeholders would experience these consequences and how would this be in conflict with their priorities?
What is a second, different possible action or direction that could be taken related to this ethical dilemma? This COULD be the reverse of the first action.
What are the benefits of that action? Provide benefits that can be backed up with factual evidence from good sources.
Which stakeholders would benefit and how does this relate to their priorities?
What are the consequences of that action? Provide consequences that can be backed up with factual evidence from good sources.
Which stakeholders would experience these consequences and how would this be in conflict with their priorities?
Conclusion
What do YOU think is the best action to take?
What evidence led you to this position?
Sources
Put all sources used in a proper bibliographic form of your choice (Any form works here, including APA, MLA, etc.)
Consistency and having all the important pieces (authors, titles, journals, URLs, etc.) is more important than the actual format.
