This unit provides a rationale for teaching about ethical issues in science for students age 14–16. The aim is to introduce the idea that the discussion of controversial issues relating to the conduct and application of science involves making decisions about what it is possible to do and about what should be done. In any situation, there is usually more than one option to choose from. Often, a course of action may seem like a good solution, but it may also have some undesirable outcomes.

Ethical problems cannot be approached in the same way as scientific ones, since there are no 'theories of morality' that correspond to theories in the sciences. However, this does not mean that ethical problems cannot be the subject of rigorous analysis.

The two activities in this unit do not require any prior knowledge.

The first activity uses a PowerPoint presentation about young people and sport as a basis for distinguishing scientific questions from ethical questions. The structured approach to group discussion features the rights and wrongs of the use and abuse of drugs to enhance sporting performance. The analysis is carried out using the framework of goals, rights and duties.

The second activity encourages students to think about scientific or technological developments and decide whether such developments are a good or bad idea and if they should consider / require further information before making any decisions.