The Science and Ethics of Human Cloning

Focus:

This Webquest focuses not only on the science of cloning, but also on the moral and emotional consequences of human cloning. It gives the student a chance to research this scientific miracle based upon information that they were given and not just preconceived notions.

 Objectives:

This lesson should be taught following the completion of your teaching about DNA make-up and chemical interactions in the body. Students should have some prior knowledge of the structure and function of DNA before explaining how cloning works. They will also have a better understanding of the terminology in this Webquest. Students will learn about the science of cloning. They will also learn that science is not quite as cut and dried as it seems. They will see that science can have very real moral and emotional consequences that must be dealt with at the personal and even governmental levels.

Resources:

Prerequisite skills: Students should be able to use the internet as a search tool.

Time Required: 3 days. Day one to read the required web sites. Day two to do independent searches to find information to back up their opinion. Day three to review with their team and have the debate.

Credits:

I would like to thank all the people who created the websites that are linked on this Webquest.