Student Writing Exercise/Activities
Forming a New Life

Debate: The Human Genome Project and Genetic Engineering

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

Your assignment is to research the current status of the Human Genome Project and its implications for genetic engineering. Although you will find older articles on the Human Genome Project, it is important to find the most up-to-date. The internet sites on the project will also help you get the most recent information. You will find a great deal of argumentative writings on the value and harm of genetic engineering. Your task is to summarize the major or most powerful arguments.

Write a Paper:

In your introduction you will need to summarize the direction of your paper. The body of the paper will have two parts: (1) a summary of the results of the Human Genome Project and (2) a summary of all sides of the debate over genetic engineering. A concluding paragraph will be needed to summarize the main points.

Specifics of the paper: Class Discussion and Informal Debate

On the due date for the papers individual members of the class will be called upon to:

  1. Give background on the Human Genome Project
  2. Give the most recent results of the Project
  3. Give reasons why genetic engineering is harmful
  4. Give reasons why genetic engineering is valuable.
Following these informal presentations all students will be given a chance to share their views.

Class Vote:

At the end of the discussion the class will take a vote on whether genetic engineering (1) should be banned or (2) should continue.

Survey: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

The purpose of this project is to raise the awareness of the damaging effects of alcohol on a developing fetus.

Gather information:

Search the popular literature (books, magazines, internet, etc.) for information on the effects of alcohol on a developing fetus.

Create a questionnaire:

Based on your research and the information provided in the book, create a questionnaire that would test someone's knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Type up your questionnaire, photocopy it, and give it to 5 female and 5 male college students. DO NOT ask for anyone's name to be placed on the questionnaire.

What do I turn in?
  1. A bibliography of all the sources you used for information
  2. A clean copy of your questionnaire
  3. The ten questionnaires you gave to participants
  4. A reaction paper
Specifics of the Paper:

Project: Nutrition for the Mother-To-Be

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

Using your text book and other sources on diet and pregnancy, design a diet for the mother-to-be.

Research:

First, research the dietary needs of a pregnant woman. Look specifically for foods she should increase and why she needs extra amounts. Also consider foods she should stay away from and why those foods are less desirable (maybe even harmful) during pregnancy.

Secondly, plan seven days of meals and snacks. Should she eat three times a day? Should she snack? Make a very specific plan for seven full days of nutritious and healthy eating.

What do I turn in?

  1. A paper 2-3 pages long: Summarize the dietary needs of a pregnant woman. Indicate what she needs specifically because she is pregnant. Also indicate things she should stay away from specifically because she is pregnant. Explain how the diet you have chosen meets those specific needs.

  2. A planned diet for 7 days in outline form. Include all meals and snacks

Trip: Visit a Hospital Birthing Unit

Date: _________________________

__________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

Preparation: Research Needed Before the Visit:

Before your visit it will be important to become familiar with the history of the hospital birthing experience. Find resources in the library which describe the changes in birthing procedures over the years.

Write a Comparison Paper

Write a 2-4 page paper on the changes in birthing procedures over the last 50 years. Consider the changes in equipment, medication, family involvement, and the protocols for premature or preterm infants.

Specifics of the paper: The Visit:

  1. During your tour of the facility try to notice the following:
  2. What pieces of equipment are routinely used?
  3. What steps are taken to comfort the mother?
  4. What steps are taken to involve the family members?
  5. What options of choices are given to the mother?
  6. What is done for premature infants?

Reaction Paper

Write a 2-4 page reaction paper on what you saw and learned during your visit.

Research: Prenatal Care Around the World

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

This project involves researching the health care provided for pregnant women in the United States and in other countries.

Your paper will have the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Description of the health care options available to pregnant women in the United States. Remember to consider the health care choices for women with adequate financial resources and health insurance as well as women without insurance and very little money.
  3. Description of the health care options available for pregnant women in at least two other countries. Again, consider the health care choices for women with adequate financial resources and as well as women with very little money.
  4. A summary section that highlights the differences in the three systems.
  5. A final conclusion critiquing the health care system in the United States.
Specifics of the paper: Research: Birth Defects

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

Your instructor will assign one of the following birth defects for you to research:

Alpha antitrypsin deficiency Alpha thalassemia

Cooley's anemia Cystic fibrosis

Down syndrome Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

Hemophilia Anencephaly

Spina bifida Phenylketonuria

Polycystic kidney disease Sickle-cell anemia

Tay-Sachs disease

Use a wide range of sources to help you understand the defect and its affects. Medical resources written for lay readers will be helpful along with articles in magazines and items on the internet. There are organizations that specialize in helping children and their families cope with the medical and psychological aspects of birth defects. These organizations often have brochures and videotapes that would provide useful information for this assignment. There may be a local chapter of a key organization in your area -- check the phone book and/or the internet for addresses and phone numbers.

What do I turn in?

You will turn in a 5-7 page paper which explains what has caused the birth defect, what the affects of the birth defect will be (not only in infancy but throughout life), and what treatments are available. You should also include the names of agencies that will help families cope with this crisis.

Specifics of the paper:

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