biology today third edition chapter 1 biology: science and ethics copyright © 2004 by garland...
TRANSCRIPT
Biology TodayThird Edition
Chapter 1
Biology: Science and Ethics
Copyright © 2004 by Garland Science
Eli Minkoff • Pam Baker
Chapter 1
A. Properties of living things
list them and relate them to further materials
B. Scientific Method
subject matter and limitations
inductive vs. deductive
reasoning
(specific to general) (general to specific; if…
then)
Hypothesis:must be testable (falsifiable)
Experiments/observations test hypothesis
must be reproducible
must have appropriate controls
B. Scientific Method (cont)
Paradigm: framework
changes periodically with scientific revolution
Ethics:
deontological written code, individual
rights
emphasis on actions
(right vs wrong)
utilitarian greatest good for mostemphasis on consequences
Properties of living things: (pg 11)
Living things are organized (cells)Living things are metabolicLiving things respond to stimuliLiving things are homeostaticLiving things grow (biosynthesis)Living things contain genetic materialLiving things reproduceLiving things form populations
Why aren’t leaves green in the Fall?
What is science?
• a ongoing process• a way of knowing and investigating the
physical, natural world• based on observation and experimentation
and must be reproducible• involves inductive and deductive
reasoning
Scientific Method
Inductive reasoningspecifics to generalization
(Hypothesis)
Deductive reasoninggeneralization to specific predictions
(If/then statements)
Scientific Method
Hypothesis
“statement about the observable universe, formulated in such a way that it can be tested” (disproven) [BT3 pg. 2-3]
“This process is called the scientific method. In reality, few scientists adhere rigidly to this prescription.” (BT3, pg 4)
Science has limitations
• the physical, natural world• behavior of objects• can say nothing about the
“supernatural” or “spiritual”
What is science?
Method of investigation based on testing hypotheses
An example
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then micewhose diet contains 50% Sshould be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.
Is this a valid experiment?
No, it needs a “control” group
Data- Mice with cancer
% S #mice % with cancerin diet
0% 0/100 0 %50% 33/100 33 %
Conclusions?
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then mice whose diet contains 50% Sshould be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Change hypothesis
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis:Sweetener S is a safe food additivein low doses.
Deduction: If S is safe to eat, then mice whose diet contains small amountsof S should be as healthy as micewho don’t eat any S.
5%, 10%, 15%……
…..45%, 50%
Data- Mice with cancer% S #mice %
0% 0/100 0 “control”5% 0/100 0 experimental10% 0/100 0 experimental15% 2/100 2 experimental20% 5/100 5 experimental25% 15/100 15 experimental30% 20/200 20 experimental35% 23/100 23 experimental40% 25/100 25 experimental45% 28/100 28 experimental50% 30/100 30 experimental
Experiments
• Be as specific as you can with your hypothesis.• Be sure to include a “control” group.• Be careful with your conclusions.
• Do your data address ethical/moral issues?
Ethics
moral rules (laws)right vs. wrong
Promises…
…should be kept.
Parking laws…
…should be obeyed.
To park
or
not to park
?
How do we resolve moral conflict?
Different people may have different ethical systems
Deontological UtilitarianBased on traditions(e.g., written code)
often religiousBible, Koran, …
individual “rights”
Looks at consequences
the most good…for themost people
“ends justify the
means”?
Many societal (legal/political) decisions are based on a particular ethic
Two examples:
Use of animals in research
Use of people in research
Use of animals in research
Historically:
Animals are property
labor, food, companionship
Do animals have rights?
Use in experiments?
regulations
Use of people in research
Drug testing
Comparative studies
species differences
e.g. cholesterol
Informed consent
Review panels
Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)
Deontological argument foragainst
foragainst
Utilitarian argument
Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)
Deontological argument foragainst
foragainst
Utilitarian argument
Beating a horseUse canary in coal mineRaising cattle for human consumptionTesting drugs on prisoners
Quiz samples:
List characteristics….
Recognize inductive/deductivedeontological/utilitarian