This lesson plan guides students in applying the specific principles of the Belmont Report to complex case studies involving human participants as research subjects.
In this lesson plan, students learn about the structure and purpose of clinical trials by simulating three phases of a trial using colored beads to represent a local population that could be involved in research. Students will also be introduced to elements of study design for clinical trials such as the use of placebos, randomization and blinded studies.
Students participate in a scenario-based lab activity designed to help them define qualities that result in reliable and meaningful scientific research. They communicate, collaborate, and skeptically evaluate each others claims. The lesson illustrates the importance of repeatable trials, replicable methods and integrity and honesty in data collection.
Students gain insight into the historical context of human participants in research. Students participate in an activity in which they analyze four historically notable case studies where ethics remain unclear. They develop their own list of ethical guidelines by creating a concept map and then comparing their guidelines to principles outlined in the Belmont Report.
Students are introduced to a brief history of animal research through a timeline mapping activity. A discussion abnout significant events and trends helps students understand the impacts of history on today's regulations, governing bodies, and uses of animals in research.
This lesson plan introduces students to the concept of an institutional review board also known as an ethics committee. Students perform a skit to learn about the regulations and membership requirements of an IRB. Students use information learned from the skit to further discuss the rationale for having IRBs review research studies involving humans.
Students begin gathering their own behavioral, medical and genetic information and prepare a mock cheek swab DNA sample. Next, students consider using their information to participate in a number of simulated research projects. This leads to a discussion about how the amount of time, degree of involvement level of risk and reasons for participation can vary for different types of research studies.
In this lesson plan, students arrange sets of cards to show their understanding of the process of biomedical research. Students see how basic research may lead to studies involving both animals and humans and may culminate in the availability of new treatments and medications.