Animal ExperimentationA Necessary Evil, or Just Pure Evil?

Webquest modified bySarah Bauhsfrom http://www.teacherwebquest.com/MN/UMN/AnimalRights/uh1.aspx

Introduction How do you know if the medicine you take is safe? How do you know how much medicine to take without overdosing?          How effective is one dose of medicine? Is it possible to be permanently protected from certain diseases?

Through the use of animal testing, humans have discovered the answers to these questions, and many lives have been saved as a result. However, consider the following questions..

  Do animals have rights, just as humans? Is the treatment of animals during biomedical experimentation  for human benefit

acceptable?

By completing this webquest, you will be researching and analyzing both sides of the debate. You will have the opportunity to find out the purposes for animal experimentation, and the its results. You will be focusing specifically on only biomedical testing (non-cosmetic / no beauty products). Finally, you will make a decision to answer this question: Is animal testing a necessary evil, or just pure evil?

Task You will be playing the role of a

lawyer. Your supervisor, Ms. Bauhs, will assign you a job. You will either be representing animals (against animal testing) or humanity (supporter of animal testing) in a case of animal experimentation.

You and the members of your group will research your side of the issue, and find information that either supports the necessity of animal testing, or proves that animal experimentation is inhumane and that alternatives would work just as well.

Process (1)

You will be assigned to a group with 2 other co-workers (classmates) and your supervisor, Ms. Bauhs will assign you a position on animal experimentation to argue. You will either be representing animals (against animal testing) or humanity (in support of animal testing).

Read the information from the Internet sites listed in the section: “Resources for Both Sides of the Animal Testing Issue,” and identify and describe in detail both sides of the animal-testing issue

Use the Internet sites listed on the "Resources" page to research your side of the debate. If you’d like to look beyond these sites, you are welcome to do so. If you are doing this, make sure to use www.citationmachine.net to site your sources of information.

  Decide on three solid arguments to support your side of the debate.  Explanations and

examples should be included. 

Organize your arguments. You should probably end with the one that is most powerful in order to have a lasting affect on the jury.

Process Continued (2) Your group will decide which digital tool of choice you will do to present your

information, and then create the presentation that you will give in court. What presentation mode will have the greatest affect on your audience and convince them to agree with your side of the issue? Will you create a PowerPoint? Video? Prezi? Digital Story? You must cite your sources of information at the end of your presentation. To cite your sources, gather the necessary information from each website and use www.citationmachine.net to do so.

On your court date, the classroom will be set up like a courtroom, with your group situated on one side facing the judge, and the opponent group on the opposite side.

The judge, Ms. Bauhs, will toss a coin to decide who will present their argument first.

If presentation modes permit it, each side will present one argument at a time. The other side will be able to question your information, so be prepared by having as much knowledge about your side as possible. This process will be completed until each side has presented all 3 of your arguments.

Process Continued (3)

After the presentation, you will also be asked to rate your group members on their helpfulness during the project, and they will rate you.

The next 6 students will present their cases in the same fashion, until all groups have gone. This way, you will have the chance to be a member of the trial, and a member of the jury.

To conclude the research project, you will write a paragraph that indicates your decision on whether or not you are in support of animal experimentation after hearing arguments both for and against. A rationale should be included that provides 3 or more reasons for your decision.

Resources for Both Sides of the Animal Testing Issue

Animal Testing Statistics Audio podcast from National Public Rad

io Animal Research Right or Wrong? About Animal Testing

Resources

Client: Animals (Against Animal Experimentation)

*Be careful to use information that is not related to product testing (ex: cosmetics, personal care products)

National Anti-Vivisection Society

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

PETA FAQ Animal Cruelty A Critical Look at Animal Exp

erimentation Do Something.org GEARI PETA- Testing Without Torture

Client: Humanity  (In Support of Animal Experimentation)

Foundation of Biomedical Research› Go to Education tab;

Benefits of Biomedical Research; Vaccines

National Association for Biomedical Research› Provides information on

various species that are included in animal research

Understanding Animal Research

Seriously Ill for Medical Research

American Psychological Association – Guidelines

Medical Advances and Animal Research

Evaluation

As you complete your research, your group members will be monitoring you to make sure that you are on task, and determine how much you are contributing. You will receive a daily rating (0-3 pts), which will be averaged and added to your final score on the grading rubric.

There will be an overall grading rubric for the presentation, which includes various performance criteria.

At the end of the project, you will compose a position paragraph that indicates your support for or against animal experimentation. You will include at least 3 reasons for your choice.

Conclusion

No matter which side you were required to present, by completing this webquest you were able to:

research information effectively debate an issue be open to hearing and analyzing both sides of a

controversial issue synthesize the knowledge gained in order to make a difficult

but informed decision This webquest can be emotional, and making a decision about

animal experimentation is no easy task. Congratulations on your completion of this project.