SUBJECT: Videos
DATE: 5/96
A few weeks ago an extra credit evening film series on biomedical
ethics was mentioned. I'd like to try this at my community college.
Does anyone have suggestions for videos on general bio, medical or
micro topics? Any words of wisdom from those with experience
in this activity? I am considering lunch time films since our students are
older, working and have a family. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Karen McCort
El Paso Community College
Yep, I do the film series. I suggest a few of the films from "Thes
Series of Life" series:
"The Mouse that Laid the Golden Egg", [genetic engineering of
animals]
"Children by Design" [gene therapy]
"Who Are You?" [behavioral genetics].
Also, a film on the Tuskegee Study.
"Finding the Killer Gene" is about how the HD gene was found;
a bit
more technical than the others.
"Conquering Cancer" is also from the Secret of Life series, and
again,
a bit more technical.
Finally, there's a NOVA program on the Interleukin 2 trials, I forget the
name. It's great for discussions on human clinical trials.
Most of these can be ordered from "Films for the Humanities and Sciences"
or rented from any video library. I use Kent State's video library.
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD BIOLOGIST <MOSSRE@wofford.edu>
Sorry bout that... Continued:
The NOVA video is "Battles in the War On Cancer", and the Kent
State
rental # is VH2084.
I either show the entire film [no more than 50' of it], followed by
30' of discussion after, or stop it once or twice in the middle and
have discussion after each major topic.
You need to have viewed the film in advance to decide where to start
and stop it, and to have prepared a few open ended, yet leading
questions.
Such as, for genetic enhancement, "Is adding a growth factor gene,
to increase your height, different from having a nose-job? How?"
Or, for genetic testing/abortion, "Who decides under what circumstances
you can abort a baby? Severe mental retardation? Less severe? Low IQ?
HD? ASthma? Sex [when they all say obviously not for sex, you can point
out how we already abort Down's fetuses mostly because we value
intellectual abilities... while in China and India, having a boy is
extremely important! Who says OUR value system is the RIGHT one?]
The Tuskegee Experiment is a great one. It points out why we have to
be very careful with human experimentation. The government, and physicians,
don't ALWAYS have the patients' best interest in mind.
And finally, the "Battles in the War on Cancer" makes you really
feel the
pain of the 4 people going through this clinical trial, along with their
hope, dispair, and uncertainty. It brings up many questions about these
trials.
I really have lots of fun in this film series. I offer a token extra
credit to get people to attend, which is important to get them there for
the first one. After that, many students comment on how surprised they
were; they had expected a dry, technical film, rather than one so interesting
and thought-provoking.
Do pass on any other good ones you find!
-Bob Moss
Wofford College
MOSSRE@WOFFORD.EDU
Karen,
There is a series called "Body Atlas" that airs on The
Learning Channel (Sun, 8am CST). Their footage of human
anatomy is great! Each show focuses on an organ system
or biological process (e.g. fertilization). The program
would best be a supplement to coverage of physiology
rather than a starting point for discussion of bioethics.
I have received several brochures from a company called
"Films for the Humanities and Sciences". I haven't tried
any of their products but it looks like they offer a huge
variety. Their number is 1-800-257-5126.
I am also a big fan of "Bill Nye: The Science Guy" (PBS).
Although aimed for a young audience, the program has has
good ideas for demonstrations and analogies.
Speaking of analogies, does anyone have a favorite they
would like to share? In the fall, I'll be teaching cell
biology to non-majors and I would like to incorporate more
analogies in my presentations.
Janet R. Mihuc, D.A.
Biology Program
104 Life Sciences
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5615
FAX:504-388-2597
ph. 504-388-8785
jmihuc@lsuvm.sncc.lsu.edu
To Karen and others,
Regarding "Films for the Humanities and Sciences"
I have found their prices to be 3 to 4 times as much as other vendors. Try
PBS's video find first. The number is on their Web page, I think it is
www.pbs.org.
Good Luck
Pat Hauslein, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Biology & Science Ed
St. Cloud State Uni
St Cloud, MN 56301