Why a Debate?

The purpose of this debate is to acknowledge, analyse and discuss the many viewpoints surrounding synthetic biology. We hope viewing this debate will help you clarify your own opinion of synthetic biology, so that you may better contribute to determining the future directions of this emerging field.

Meet the Debaters

The debaters featured are members of the University of Alberta Debate Society. Several of these debaters will be competing at the World Debate Championships in Turkey this winter, and all have competed at a national level. The debaters we feature are from a variety of backgrounds, to represent many different perceptions of synthetic biology. Debaters were supplied with only the resolution and no other background information.

First Propostion - graduate student in Computer Science

First Opposition - in the military reserve

Second Proposition - undergraduate student, double major in Mathematics and Linguistics

Second Opposition - undergraduate student in Political Science

Third Proposition - undergraduate student in Microbiology

Third Opposition - student in English, BA in Classics

Fourth Proposition - undergraduate student in Philosophys

Fourth Opposition - undergraduate student in Philosophy and Political Science

Style of Debate

This debate is in British Parliamentary style, the style used at the Debate World Championships. This style of debate is set in parliament, and debaters take the role of government parties discussing policies. There are four teams of two people: two proposition teams argue for the motion, and two opposition teams argue against it. The first and second speaker on a side are on the same team, and the third and fourth speaker on a side are on the same team. Only the two debaters within a team plan their arguments together, and the two teams arguing on the same side compete with each other to argue better. The second team is expected to present an 'extension' consisting of new constructive arguments. The debaters address the Speaker of the House and entertain questions, called Point of Information, from debaters arguing the opposite side of the issue. Debaters can stand up to ask a question at any time except the first and last minute of a speech. The speaker may either wave them down or take their question. All speeches are seven minutes. The last speaker on each side summarizes the debate.