Press Release [300 words] (15%): Students will respond to a fictional scenario and write and Press Release
that frames the health care ethics topic for a lay audience, lists 2-3 legal and ethical issues, and provides a
compelling viewpoint advancing a specific narrative.
Background
Throughout the course, we have discussed the importance of framing an issue to tell a story, and
how different stakeholders hold distinct viewpoints. Each side has a story to tell, to convey
factual details about a situation that occurred, but also convince the audience of his own
perspective and interests.
For this assignment, you are writing a fictional Press Release about the movie
The Island
. After
Lincoln Six Echo and Jordan Two Delta escape and free the clones, you are writing a response
about what happened in the laboratory and Dr. Merrick’s research.
Position
You must adopt the assigned position.
Last name A-K: You are hired by Dr. Merrick and defending the Merrick Laboratory
Last Name L-Z: You are part of Public Citizen (a consumer advocacy group) commenting on
unethical practices at the lab
Topic
For the content, you will choose ONE of the topic areas:
1. Social Control
Merrick Laboratory: The agnates are scientific products and they are not human, but animal
organisms. To uphold safety for the agnates and the surrounding population, Merrick
Laboratories provided calm and soothing routines for the agnates’ humane development.
Public Citizen: Merrick Laboratory created human clones, and engineered compliance through
fear of external contamination and brainwashing.
2. Creating agnates/clones
Merrick Laboratory: Agnates provide a groundbreaking solution to organ shortage and insurance
policy against human frailty.
Public Citizen: Artificially creating human clones as a source of replacement body parts is
dehumanizing, and violates key ethical principles of…
3. Surrogacy and alternative reproduction
Merrick Laboratory: Agnates provide an innovative solution to couples struggling with infertility
or pregnancy gestation, providing people with novel reproductive options to fit their lifestyle.
Public Citizen: Using clones as surrogates or for reproduction reduces them to machines or
products, violating the ethical principles of…
4. Justifying scientific research
Merrick Laboratory: Scientists and physicians have a duty to conduct pioneering research to solve
pressing medical problems such as organ shortages and extend human life using novel synthetic
organisms. Complicity in permitting agnates to escape the laboratory will hinder advancing
lifesaving treatments and endanger the public.
Public Citizen: Merrick Laboratory violated key ethical tenets in creating human clones, and the
Department of Defense should cease funding and issue sanctions to deter this unacceptable line of
research.
Format Details
Title
o
Frame the topic, use your words wisely to grab attention
Opening 1-2 paragraphs
o
This should explain the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
o
1
st
paragraph: why is this news now?
o
2
nd
paragraph: what is the background behind this story?
Middle
o
What are the main issues this raises?
o
Take on the role you are adopting. What is the narrative you want readers to have about
what happened?
o
You can include a fictional quote that represents the viewpoint of “an expert” on the
topic.
End
o
Call to action. What should the readers take away from this?
Length: 300 words
Consider the following questions as you view the movie. Be ready to discuss as a class.
Social Control
* What elements of social control did you see?
* How did “the contamination” outside provide a powerful tool to control people? Consider how fear of an unseen risk provides power to a central system that promises to keep people safe.
* What is the symbolism of the butterfly as Lincoln starts to question the current system?
* Comment on the role of brainwashing of the new births. Are there less severe aspects of messaging you seen in our society relating to accepting technology as beneficial and something we should use (“the technological imperative”)?
* What is the role of the media (the “community announcer” in the movie) in understanding what is true and false, reality and a construct?
Dehumanization
* What is the significance of calling the new person “a product” and branding his name as a tattoo into his arm after he is born?
* How does branding someone render them “less than” and reduce their status?
* What were some aspects of dehumanization you saw in treating persons who served as organ donors?
* How did this impact viewing the appropriateness of policy decisions?
* How could Lincoln have the memories of his sponsor/clone?
* What does this mean for our presumptions or certainty that “manufactured” organisms would not have consciousness?
Surrogacy and alternative reproduction
* Would synthetic gestational pods be desirable? What potential scientific, legal, and ethical drawbacks do you see?
* Why did they euthanize the mother who gave birth? How does this comment on the sacrifice of women who are pregnant? Do you see parallels to commercial surrogacy, or it is distinct?
Justifying scientific research
* Why would the Defense Department be interested in financing projects that push the boundaries of technology?
* “People will do anything they have to survive.”
* How far does this extend, and when should the law intercede to protect the rights of others?
* How does too much power/ “God complex” become troublesome?
* “When did you get into the business of killing?” v. “I give life through science because the agnates have no souls”
* How did you see reference to ownership of persons?
* “I brought you into this world, I can take you out”; “You are my insurance policy, I own you.” How does this undermine “respect for persons?”
* How should the law — and ethics — guard against this type of dystopian outcome?
Find the Press Release assignment here
Download here
. This assignment responds to the film The Island.
(Students can find the movie for free with commercials on PlutoTV.)
Although this is a fictional movie, many technological advances in our society raise similar ethical questions. This article describes the concept of synthetic biology to create embryos, with the aim of creating full scale organisms — possibly animal or human. Use this article to help guide your thinking for how each side frames new technology:
Ethical perils lie ahead after the creation of ‘synthetic embryos’
Links to an external site.
Sample Press Releases
Here are two samples on a different topic. They summarize what occurred in The SUPPORT Study. Use these samples as a guide of how to write this type of media.
Sample defending the study
Download defending the study
: this sample provides a “How To” for each section and detailed descriptions
Sample highlighting ethical problems
Download highlighting ethical problems
with the study
Rubric
Press Release Rubric
Press Release Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
10 pts
10 pts
10 pts
15 pts
5 pts
Total Points: 50
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Position
Student convincingly adopts the position of the assigned organization in describing the topic and issue.
10 pts
Full Marks 0 pts
No Marks
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Organization
Student writes in a logical and organized manner that permits the reader to easily follow along.
10 pts
Full Marks 0 pts
No Marks
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Key Details
Student provides a clear overview of the topic chosen. This includes answering the Who, What, When, Where, Why. Each section of the Press Release provides pertinent, focused details that outline the key information on the topic.
10 pts
Full Marks 0 pts
No Marks
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Effective Writing
Student writes with clarity, cohesion, and purpose. The writing artfully chooses strategic words or phasing to advance the assigned position. Writing is free from grammatical errors.
15 pts
Full Marks 0 pts
No Marks
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Format
Student follows the assignment format, including title, sections, and word count.
5 pts
Full Marks 0 pts
No Marks
