Neuroscience and the Law
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide puts the neuroscience and the law debate in context, providing information, a reading list and weblinks. The resource encourages students to debate issues such as: • Diminishing responsibility • The limits of neuroscience • A question of free will • 'Neuroscience…
Biofuels
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide puts the biofuel debate in context, providing information, a reading list and weblinks. The resource encourages students to debate issues such as: • Are biofuels environmentally friendly? • Fuel versus food • A waste if time, money and energy? • Should governments…
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Produced by Debating Matters, these materials help students to debate, analyse and understand issues in contemporary science. These materials look at the topic of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Figures from the UK Office for National Statistics show that 107 women over 50 had babies by IVF in 2009. Advances in Assisted Reproductive…
Public Health
Produced as part of the Debating Matters series, this activity looks at the Government's role in public health and what actions should be taken to prevent unhealthy life choices. Governments have sought to improve public health by advertising, campaigns and targeted programmes. However, some have started to question whether…
Recycling
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide looks at the value of recycling household waste. It has been argued that our concern with recycling is out of all proportion with its benefits and that our priorities have become skewed. Is recycling an essential part of raising environmental awareness, or would our time be better…
Scepticism and Science
This topic guide, produced for the Debating Matters competition, considers scepticism in relation to the debate over climate change. Some commentators have concluded that scientists need to be more candid about the degrees of uncertainty in climate change predictions. Others believe that climate change sceptics have exaggerated the…
Smart Drugs
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide provides information, further reading and web links around the area of using drugs to enhance intellectual ability. In the United States, where the use of ‘smart drugs’ or ‘chemical cognitive enhancers’ is most prevalent, studies suggest that…
Older Mums
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the issue of women using reproductive medicine to have babies when they are beyond their natural childbearing age. It includes information, further reading and web links on the topic. Advances in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such as egg donation,…
Organic Food
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide looks at the issues around organic food. It contains information, further reading and web link that help students consider whether people should embrace organic foods. Following the release of research from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), claiming that organic food is nutritionally…
Organ and Tissue Donation
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the use of financial incentives to encourage greater tissue and organ donations. It contains information, further reading and web links that help students to understand and debate the issues. In the UK, there is a shortage of organ donors and demands for…
Population Growth
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide helps students to understand the issues around continued human population growth. The resource contains information, further reading and web links related to the topic. An increasing human population is having a greater impact on the Earth. However, critics point out that fears about…
Genetic Screening
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide gives information, further reading and web links to help students understand the issues around the genetic screening of embryos. The issues at stake include the ability to prevent unnecessary suffering from diseases and concerns about the prospect of a society where…
GM Food
From Debating Matters, this topic guide includes information, further reading and web links to help students understand the issues around the use of genetically modified food crops. Supporters say that genetically-modified (GM) foods can help to provide food for an increasing world population. Opponents suggest that there are…
Healthcare Provision and Lifestyle Choices
Are patients entitled to healthcare whatever their lifestyle choices? From Debating Matters, this topic guide addresses the issues around the provision of healthcare. Information, further reading and web links help students to consider and understand the topic. Does an alcoholic have a right to a liver transplant, even if he…
Healthy Behaviour
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide provides information, further reading and web links on the topic of promoting healthy behaviour. Should economic incentives be used to promote healthy behaviour. ‘Lifestyle diseases’ include illnesses such as smoking-related cancers and lung and heart…
Complementary Medicine on the NHS
This topic guide was produced for the Debating Matters Competition. It contains information, further reading and web links on the topic of complementary medicine and whether they should be available through the National Health Service. Supporters of complementary and alternative medicine see its provision as a question of health…
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at international agreements on global greenhouse gas emissions. Are they effective? Are they fair to developing nations? In December 2009 world leaders congregated in the Danish capital city Copenhagen for the United Nations COP15 conference on climate change.…
Performance Enhancing Drugs
This topic guide, produced for the Debating Matters competition, asks should the use of performance enhancing drugs be permitted in sport? The guide contains information, further reading and web links which allow students to understand and debate the issues. Anti-doping authorities and campaigners argue that performance-enhancing…
Fossil Fuels and Energy
This topic guide was produced for the Debating Matters competition. It looks at the issue of fossil fuels and considers whether they should remain unused in the ground. The guide contains information, further reading and web links to allow students to explore and understand the issues. Providing easy and plentiful sources of…
Animal Experimentation
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the issues around using animals for medical research. The guide contains information, further reading and web links. It encourages students to gain a greater understanding of the topic and consider the issues around this controversial area. Two fundamental…
Assisted Dying
This topic guide looks at the issue of assisted dying. Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this resource contains information, web links and further reading on this controversial area. Supporters of assisted dying aim to give people the ability to control their destiny. Critics, both secular and religious, oppose any…
Clinical Trials
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guides looks at the use of developing countries for clinical trials. It helps students to understand and debate the issues around this controversial area. There is a concern that powerful companies and research institutions cannot be held to account for their work in developing…
Cheap Flights
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide contains background information and further reading on the impacts of cheap air travel. Critics point to increased carbon dioxide emissions and climate change, looking on budget flights as a particular problem. However, supporters highlight the economic and social benefits…
Access to Modern Medicine
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the availability and access to medicines through the National Health Service. It helps students to discuss issues around access to healthcare. The materials looks at a range of factors that are considered when health services consider the use or otherwise of…
Ageing
Produced for the Debating Matters, this topic guide contains background information, to encourage discussion and debate, on the issues associated with increased life expectancy. Over the last 150 years, life expectancy in the UK has nearly doubled from 40 to 80 years and research indicates half of babies born today are expected…