Human Reproduction and Sexuality Presentations

The last lab session of the semester will begin with a quiz on Helms chapter #40, followed by short films and show-n-tell session on contraception and sexually transmitted disease. The last hour and a half will be for student group presentations. Each lab group (bench of 4 students) will make a 10-minute Human Reproduction and Sexuality presentation to the TA & class.

Plan a 10-min/group presentation in which all members of the group participate (8-9 min presentation & 1-2 min class Q&A session). You should decide on your topic as a group and be sure to clear it with your TA. TA’s don’t allow repeated topics so get your favorite approved early!

Pick any topic you want as long as group members agree and your TA clears it first. It’s easiest to pick a narrow topic that you can actually address in just 10 minutes. Since this is a science class we would like you to lean heavily on facts but feel free to voice your opinion about a topic in a respectful manner. Don’t apply personal biases to any ethnic, religious, social or political group. Always be clear on the difference between facts (cite location & date) and opinions (I feel statements) in your presentations.

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Your group will need to start reading up now to become knowledgeable on your topic. Remember to cite all “facts” and get information from a variety of sources. Each group will be graded (100 points) on creativity, resourcefulness, and demonstration of knowledge. So plan to rehearse your presentation, skit, or debate outside of lab time. It should be a fun and informative last lab session. No lab coats required.

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

Human reproductive technology:

IVF etc., Storing sperm, eggs, embryos Screening for genetic disease, Selective fertilization (with Y-chromosome sperm), Surrogate parents, Embryo research, Cloning for infertile couples to reproduce

Control of human reproduction:

world pop increase, Fetal tissue research Gene therapy on ADA deficient embryo’s (SCID)Multiple births in humans

Cancer:

Cancer of reproductive organs, Treatments, preventative measures & early detection, Cancer rates of occurrence, survival, aggressive vs. non-invasive treatments

Surgical Intervention:

Male circumcision, Female “circumcision”, Castration of sex offenders, Breast augmentation

Sexually Transmitted diseases:

Job discrimination, Social persecution, Comparison of govt. funding for HIV vs. other medical research,

Birth Control:

Comparison of methods, cost, availability, other advantages, Comparison of different religious beliefs concerning birth control, State mandated birth control (of the unfit or to limit family size)

Public Education:

Public service announcements, public school sex ed programs and rates of teenage pregnancy, rates of HIV or other STD’s, compare US states; compare US to other countries.

Abortion:

Availability, cost, survival rate of women, the morning after pill, legal stipulations, rights of protesters, rights of practitioners.

Homosexuality:

Recognition of domestic partners, job discrimination (military), sodomy laws, research evaluating the question of nature vs. nature.

Marriage:

monogamy vs. polygamy, arranged vs. non- arranged marriages, spousal abuse, divorce, premarital sex and cohabitation.

Gender Discrimination:

Women in combat, differential treatment by educators, parents, legal system, infanticide of daughters.

The Media:

Controversial role models, criteria for identifying pornography or obscenity, standards for physical beauty, male vs. female roles.

Prostitution:

Legal vs. illegal prostitution, Comparison of prosecutions of prostitutes their customers, individual rights and control of your body for profit.

Date rape:

Prosecution culturally defined dating etiquette, guidelines for socially acceptable behavior.