The debate was held on June 21, 2016. The Rice iGEM team collaborated with the Rice University Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering (IBB) Girls’ BioScience STEM Initiative. Participants were presented with the following question for the debate: “Do the proposed benefits of applying synthetic biology to solve real-world problems outweigh the perceived costs and ethical concerns about genetic engineering?” The girls received various introductory reading materials about the topic before launching into the debate.
Economically disadvantaged girls attending high school in an underserved part of Houston come to Rice University each summer to participate in a series of STEM immersion experiences. Additionally, the program organizes college preparatory activities and exposes students to career paths in STEM. The bioethics debate organized by Rice iGEM was incorporated into these activities.
More information on the IBB Girls STEM Initiative can be found
here
