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Role cards (all levels)
Should We Bring Back Dinosaurs? Exploring the Pros and Cons of De-extinction 🦖
Genetic Scientist
Role: The scientist who specializes in editing and reconstructing DNA.
Responsibilities:
- Discuss the potential of genetic technology in reviving dinosaurs.
- Explain the limitations and challenges of reconstructing complete dinosaur genomes.
- Emphasize ethical considerations in genetic engineering.
- Advocate for responsible advancement in genetic research.
The genetic scientist is keen on the technological possibilities but cautious about the ethical and practical implications.
Ecologist
Role: The expert concerned about ecosystems and biodiversity.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze the possible ecological impacts of introducing dinosaurs into current ecosystems.
- Highlight the risks of disrupting existing wildlife and plants.
- Emphasize animal welfare and habitat compatibility for revived species.
- Promote conservation priorities for current endangered species.
The ecologist worries about the unintended consequences on ecosystems and priorities in preservation efforts.
Bioethicist
Role: The expert in ethical issues relating to biology and cloning.
Responsibilities:
- Discuss the moral implications of reviving extinct species.
- Consider the welfare of dinosaurs in modern environments.
- Debate the human responsibility in altering life on Earth.
- Encourage ethical guidelines and oversight.
The bioethicist is deeply concerned about the ethics of reviving dinosaurs and the broader moral implications.
Politician
Role: The policymaker who balances public interest and regulation.
Responsibilities:
- Weigh the economic benefits of dinosaur revival and tourism.
- Address the need for legal frameworks to manage revived species.
- Consider public opinion and ethical debates.
- Foster a balanced approach to scientific advancements.
The politician is interested in the economic benefits but acknowledges the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations.
How to work with your role card
Step 1: Make sure you understand your role and do some research if necessary so you have all the facts you need for the debate.
Step 2: Check out the other role cards so you prepare arguments specifically for them.
Step 3: Prepare some additional notes that you can take with you into the debate and prepare your opening statement.
Help section
Here are some debate starters and arguments to help you get started
Given the request to adapt the complexity of the discussion for a younger age, I will simplify the language and provide context where necessary. Let's assume the target audience is around the age of 12, which means explanations should be clear, engaging, and not overly technical.
Debate Starters
- What would happen to nature if all of a sudden dinosaurs were brought back to life?
- Is it okay to bring back animals that don't exist anymore, like dinosaurs?
- Should we spend money and time on bringing dinosaurs back or on protecting animals that are in danger right now?
Arguments
Genetic Scientist
Technological Possibilities
- Scientists have amazing tools that can change DNA, which is like the instruction book for living things. This could mean we can bring back animals like dinosaurs.
- Reviving dinosaurs can help us learn more about history and how life has changed over millions of years.
- Bringing back dinosaurs could inspire more discoveries and inventions in science.
Challenges and Limitations
- Dinosaurs lived a long time ago, and their DNA is hard to find and piece together.
- Even if we find dinosaur DNA, it might not be complete, making it difficult to recreate a real dinosaur.
- There are many questions we still need to answer before we can bring dinosaurs back safely.
Ethical Considerations
- We must think about whether it's right to change living things just because we can.
- Bringing back dinosaurs might cause problems we haven't thought of yet, so we need to be careful.
- It's important to use science responsibly and make sure we're not causing harm.
Ecologist
Ecological Impact
- Dinosaurs might change the balance of nature, affecting plants and animals that live today.
- Introducing dinosaurs could lead to competition for food and space with animals that already exist.
- We need to make sure dinosaurs have a place where they can live without hurting other animals and plants.
Animal Welfare
- Dinosaurs might not be able to live happily or healthily in today's world because it's so different from when they were alive.
- It's important to think about how dinosaurs would feel and if they would have enough space and food.
- We should make sure that any animal we bring back can live well without suffering.
Conservation Priorities
- There are many animals now that need our help because they might disappear forever.
- We should focus on saving animals that are in danger today before bringing back dinosaurs.
- Protecting current wildlife ensures that our ecosystems remain healthy and balanced.
Bioethicist
Moral Implications
- Bringing back dinosaurs raises questions about whether we should change nature just because we can.
- We must consider if it's fair to dinosaurs to bring them into a world that is very different from theirs.
- This decision affects everyone, so it's important to think about what is right and wrong.
Human Responsibility
- Humans have a duty to take care of the planet, and changing life on Earth is a big responsibility.
- We should think about what it means to play a big role in nature and if we are ready for it.
- It's important to be responsible with our power and make choices that don't harm nature.
Ethical Guidelines
- We need rules to make sure we use science in a way that is careful and fair.
- Scientists should work with people who think about ethics to decide what is okay to do.
- Having guidelines helps us make sure everyone agrees on what's right and safe.
Politician
Economic Benefits
- Bringing back dinosaurs could be exciting and bring money from people visiting them, like a dinosaur zoo.
- Dinosaurs might create new jobs and interest in science.
- We need to balance making money with making sure things are safe and right.
Regulation and Public Opinion
- People have different opinions on bringing dinosaurs back, and politicians need to listen to everyone.
- There should be laws to make sure dinosaurs are handled safely and ethically.
- It's important to make decisions that benefit everyone, not just those interested in dinosaurs.
Balanced Approach
- We should look at both the good and the bad sides before making a decision about dinosaurs.
- It's important to find a middle ground that considers science, money, and ethics.
- Decisions should be made by considering what's best for everyone and the planet.
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Role cards (all levels)
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Personalize the worksheet
Choose a topic you want your students to discuss. Optional: Add the 4 roles.
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