The assignment instructions are in te attachments
The purpose of this report is to introduce you to scientific communications from actual researchers. You may report on one of two types of materials: journals and seminars. 1. Papers from Scientific Journals: Scientists publish thousands of articles every week. These publications make up the ‘primary literature’ of science. They include much jargon, however, and may be inappropriate for our purposes. Other journals present similar work at a level meant for a general science audience. American Scientist is the preferred source for this assignment. It is available online at our library. Other sources may be used, but the articles should be at least 7 pages in length and must contain a tested hypothesis. Articles from Scientific American are NOT suitable for this assignment. These articles from American Scientist contain the necessary information to satisfy requirements. You will need to read these articles carefully; the hypothesis may be implied. For your assignment, you only need to write about one hypothesis and one test of that hypothesis per assignment, even if the article contains several hypotheses and tests. The GCC Library receives both print and electronic copies of American Scientist. To access electronically, you must use a GCC computer link. This can be done at home on your own computer, in the library, either HiTec center, Biology Computer lab, etc. Follow these directions to the American Scientist site and then enter the author or title of the article desired or browse American Scientist and select one. · Go to the GCC Library Web Page (Links to an external site.) · Click on the 'Find Articles' tab to search for a specific article or the 'Journal Finder' tab to search for a specific journal (search 'American Scientist', for example) · Use subject words from the title · These steps should bring you to various articles, although a little sifting might be needed Another recommended source: Online Journal on Evolutionary Biology (Links to an external site.). You might find interesting articles here. -OR- 2. Seminars: On or Off Campus: Local universities often sponsor seminars. Seminar schedules will be provided as available. To receive credit for seminar reports, you must attend the seminar. Instructions for the Summary Report: You are to write one report (a second may be written for extra credit, but remember... extra credit is capped at a maximum of 20 points). The exact topics can be chosen at your discretion and you may choose an article or seminar. Regardless of your source, use full articles, not summaries. Your report should summarize the article/seminar in your own words - avoid direct quotes. Each of the items below should require only one or a few sentences. It is your responsibility to find an appropriate article to fulfill all parts of this assignment and summarize the article in your own words. Your instructor may have several suggestions for articles (see Pages in our Canvas classroom). Be sure to include: · the initial observation or earlier study that stimulated the research · the hypothesis tested and specific predictions of the hypothesis · basic methods/experimental design of the study; how was the hypothesis tested? compare the experimental vs. control groups. You are not expected to describe detailed methods. However, if you cannot understand the methods, you should choose a different topic. · results: what did the authors find from their experiment (the facts or measurements)? · the author’s conclusion; state clearly the author’s conclusion about the hypothesis. For example, ‘Dr. Seymour concluded that the results supported (rejected?) her hypothesis.’ · your critique: do you agree with author’s conclusion? why or why not? apply logic and your knowledge of the scientific method to critique the study’s design, controls, etc. You are not expected to bring in your own experience or other data. · the complete reference of the article or lecture (author, date, title, publication and pages, or ‘Lecture at . . . ’ etc.) Style: You are expected to describe the work and explain your conclusions in language that other students (family, friends) can understand. Avoid jargon and write in a clear, direct format. Many articles include multiple hypotheses and experiments. Limit your report to one hypothesis and a single test of that hypothesis. Papers should be typed, double-spaced, and grammatically correct. Spell check and ask a fellow student, friend or family member to proof read it (can they understand your summary?). Maximum: 2 pages. NO cover sheet. Each student must write his or her own paper (see information about plagiarism in our syllabus and its online references). You are encouraged to submit your paper electronically via Canvas as a Word document (e.g. Word.doc or Word.docx) or pdf and properly formatted (e.g. double-spaced). Please include your name in the title of the document. Submit yours electronically before the well before the deadline to ensure a timely submission! GATTACA Questions Extra Credit Option - GATTACA I have another extra credit option for you guys this semester not mentioned in the syllabus. If you would like to watch the movie, GATTACA, and answer the accompanying questions (starting on the next page), I will count this as an extra credit option. Those of you with extra credit from MasteringBiology will not need this, of course, but this is another option for those of you looking into other sources of extra credit. Remember, however, I have to cap it at 20 points. This is simply another 20 point extra credit option. You can probably find this movie online for a fair price considering its age (1997). GATTACA Questions 1. What is Vincent's meaning behind his statement: "There is a new underclass. They have discrimination down to a science. Blood has no nationality?" 2. Did you see any situations in the movie that you would classify as discrimination? Explain. 3. Explain the meaning of the "valid birth", genetically superior. What is meant by the phrase “there is no gene for fate" and how does this apply to the real Jerome? 4. What does Vincent mean when he says, "...how far I was away from my goal than when l was standing right beside it"? What was he doing in his life at that point? 5. What does the real Jerome mean when he says, "With all l had going for me, I was still second best" and why does he tell Vincent that he wasn't drunk when he walked in front of the car that ultimately led to his being a paraplegic? 6. What does the director mean when he says, "We are getting the right kinds of people? Bodies with the minds to match" "... meeting their potential" and then in response to Anton "No one exceeds their potential"? 7. Describe the life of a “valid” and how they have the "burden of perfection". 8. Describe an “invalid,” “faith birth”. 9. Why does Vincent describe Jerome as "engineered with everything to get into GATTACA except the desire to do so"? 10. Explain the significance of the six-fingered glove. Why would parents want to "genetically engineer" a child to have polydactyly? 11. Why does Vincent tell lrene, "You are the authority of what is not possible"? How does Vincent explain to Irene why he doesn't "buy into" the genetic profile he was dealt? (Think back to the beginning of the movie – when Vincent was born and his "genetic readout"). 12. What does Anton mean when he says (while they are swimming in the ocean) "How have you done any of this?" Explain Vincent's response, "I never saved anything for the swim back." 13. When Vincent leaves for the mission, why does Jerome say to him "I got the better end of the deal, you lent me your dream?" What does he mean? Finally - You must answer the following: 14. Where does your desire, your passion come from to pursue your dreams? 15. How far are you willing to go with genetic engineering? 16. Explain the ramifications of being able to select genes for your offspring (your children or grandchildren may be able to do this in their lifetime). 17. What if society was able to rid the population of harmful genes like TaySachs, Hemophilia, Sickle-cell Anemia, etc.? Which genes (like for polydactyly, colorblindness, achondroplasia) would you designate as "okay" to be kept in the population and why? 18. What if you or a member of your family, your child had one of these disorders? What if your neighbor did? 19. Does the government have the right to regulate whether people could cure themselves or their children if the technology was available to do so? Explain. 20. Science fiction is now becoming science fact. Genetic risk data about a number of health problems are now available for people who want this data. Do you think insurance companies have a right to access this data as it becomes available? What about if it become mandatory? Why or why not?