BIO 100A/ BioScience (3) Part Discussions

Comment on a part of the article that you found particularly relevant. Explain what plagiarism means, why it is important in science that work not be plagiarized, and what you think the penalty for plagiarism in this course should be.

Discussion 2,

GMO: We hear more and more about the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) everyday. While some have removed them completely from their diet, others feel they are useful tools for feeding the world. In this discussion, we will spend some time critically analyzing a website that contains information about GMOs.

Centre for Research on Globalization: Ten Scientific Studies Prove that Genetically Modified Food Can Be Harmful To Human Health. (Link Below)

Ten Scientific Studies Prove that Genetically Modified Food Can Be Harmful To Human Health

Instructions

Critical thinking has sometimes been summed up with the following four key points: examine assumptions, discern hidden values, evaluate evidence, assess conclusions (Myers).

Let’s keep these 4 points in mind as we critically analyze this article. Please pick 2 points on the GMO website link to critically evaluate using the questions below.

What are the assumptions of the authors of the website?

Can the authors make the conclusions they are making with the information they provided? Is there other information that refutes their conclusions?

You should look at the references that the authors provide as well as finding your own references for your discussion. Myers, D. (2013) Pyschology (10th Ed.) (p.23), New York, NY: Worth.

Discussion 3:

Week 3 : Beauty in nature: Let’s take some time to contemplate beauty in nature. Many of you have seen the planet earth videos that show the incredible uniqueness, diversity and beauty of biology. Please take some time to view the following videos:

1. In this video, Frank Wilczek, a theoretical physicist, unpacks the concept of beauty found in science:

https://bigthink.com/videos/frank-wilczek-on-the-world-as-art

2. The Science of Why Nature Is Beautiful to Us

(This clip illustrates the beauty of nature)

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1700302/uiconf_id/32654372/entry_id/0_abwg3zb1/embed/dynamic

Questions:

1. The physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed quoted in Scientific American states that ”Despite all this, I don’t want scientists to abandon their talk of beauty. Anything that inspires scientific thinking is valuable…” Let’s take part in some of that valuable thinking. Do some research and discuss one aspect of nature that you find beautiful. How is the science in this enhance its beauty?

2. Take a moment today to look outside and notice the nature that is around you. Find one aspect that is beautiful and inspires awe. In what ways is science and the art of nature compatible? What thoughts do you have as you take notice of the nature’s beauty around you?

3. Does the beauty of nature motivate a desire to conserve its biodiversity? What are some other reasons we should seek to steward the vast variety we see on planet earth?

Sources:

Truth and beauty in science

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/truth-and-beauty-in-science/