Team:Lethbridge/Ethics

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Ethics and SynBio

Synthetic biology has been surrounded with ethical concerns from the very beginning. Many issues have been raised, looking at whether a new scientific development may have environmental, social, legal, economic or destructive consequences. Each of these issues must be analyzed to rate the safety of a new project or design entering the commercial world.

However, while all of these concerns must be addressed, the University of Lethbridge iGEM Team has decided to take a simpler look at ethical concerns surrounding synthetic biology. Will the general public be concerned about synthetic biology, if they aren’t even concerned about science in general? U of L iGEM created a survey for high school students (the newest generation of active citizens) to discover their general interest in science, their knowledge of genetic engineering and synthetic biology, predetermined stereotypes and finally a possible need for high school based extra-curricular science activities.


The Survey

Information gathered from this survey will be used in a university project (iGEM), and to assess the need for increased funding for science activities. The answers you provide on this survey will remain anonymous; individual identity will remain confidential. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

1.Do you think of science as the learning of past discoveries, or the development of new discoveries?

Learning of Past Discoveries Development of New Discoveries

2.Rate your interest in science:

0 1 2 3 4
None Very Low Low High Very High

3.How interested are you in pursuing a scientific career?

0 1 2 3 4
None Very Low Low High Very High


4.Rate your understanding of the term “genetic engineering.”

0 1 2 3 4
Never Heard Of It Before Don’t Know What It Is Know Somewhat Know Mostly What It Is Know Exactly What It Is

5.Do you think genetic engineering to be good or bad?

0 1 2 3 4
Don't Care Very Bad Bad Good Very Good


6.Rate your understanding of the term “synthetic biology.”

0 1 2 3 4
Never Heard Of It Before Don’t Know What It Is Know Somewhat Know Mostly What It Is Know Exactly What It Is


7.Do you think synthetic biology to be good or bad?


0 1 2 3 4
Don't Care Very Bad Bad Good Very Good


8.Which high school science classes do you plan on taking? Circle all that apply.

Biology Chemistry Physics Science Science
20 20 20 20 24
30 30 30 30


9.In your future career, which factor is the most important to you?

Helping Others Making Discoveries Money Independence Fame


10.The majority of learning done in your science classroom is through:

Problem Based Learning Group Work Lecture Assignments Self Directed Learning

11.How would you like to do the majority of learning in the classroom?

Problem Based Learning Group Work Lecture Assignments Self Directed Learning


12.Rate your interest in participating in paid extra-curricular science activities?

0 1 2 3 4
None Very Low Low High Very High

13.What are the first three words you think of when you hear the word “scientist”?

  1. _____________________
  2. _____________________
  3. _____________________






Results And Analysis

What did we find?


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