APA FORMAT BIOLOGY PAPER

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Assignment 2: Gene Technology

Due Week 8 and worth 120 points

Gene technology carries with it social and ethical implications—many of which engender personal views and discussion.

Select one (1) of the following biotechnology topics to write about: 

• Genetically modified crop plants
• Genetically modified microorganisms
• Genetically modified animals
• Personal genomics and / or personalized medicine for humans
• Gene therapy

Write a four to six (4 to 6) page paper on your chosen topic.  Organize your paper into sections corresponding to the following requirements:

1. Biological basis. Describe the technology. Discuss what it accomplishes. Elaborate on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Your goal in this section of the paper is to show the instructor that you understand the underlying science behind the technology. Describe how exactly the technology works. Discuss the biological principles that underlie this technology.
2. Social and ethical implications. Without disclosing your personal view about this technology, provide an analysis of its social and ethical implications. State the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Discuss the benefits and risks. Your goal in this section is to look at all sides of the issue. In the next section, you will give your opinion. 
3. Personal viewpoint. In the previous section, your goal was to be as objective as possible, to look at all sides of the issues. In this section, your goals are to give a personal opinion about the technology and provide a justification of that opinion. 
4. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment, in addition to the course text. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. The body of the paper must have in-text citations that correspond to the references. Integrate all sources into your paper using proper techniques of quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing, along with proper use of in-text citations to credit your sources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Examine DNA structure, and function, gene expression, and control.
• Discuss the various applications of genomics and biotechnology.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in biology.
• Write clearly and concisely about biology using proper writing mechanics

Points: 120

Assignment 2: Gene Technology

Criteria

Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Biological basis:  Describe the technology. Discuss what it accomplishes.  Elaborate on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Describe how exactly the technology works.  Discuss the biological principles that underlie this technology.

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely described the technology. Did not submit or incompletely discussed what it accomplishes.  Did not submit or incompletely elaborated on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Did not submit or incompletely described how exactly the technology works. Did not submit or incompletely discussed the biological principles that underlie this technology.

Insufficiently described the technology.  Insufficiently discussed what it accomplishes.  Insufficiently elaborated on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Insufficiently described how exactly the technology works. Insufficiently discussed the biological principles that underlie this technology.

Partially described the technology.  Partially discussed what it accomplishes.  Partially elaborated on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Partially described how exactly the technology works. Partially discussed the biological principles that underlie this technology.

Satisfactorily described the technology.  Satisfactorily discussed what it accomplishes.  Satisfactorily elaborated on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Satisfactorily described how exactly the technology works. Satisfactorily discussed the biological principles that underlie this technology.

Thoroughly described the technology.  Thoroughly discussed what it accomplishes.  Thoroughly elaborated on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Thoroughly described how exactly the technology works. Thoroughly discussed the biological principles that underlie this technology.

2. Social and ethical implications: Provide an analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications. State the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Discuss the benefits and risks.  

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or provided an incomplete analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications. Did not submit or incompletely stated the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Did not submit or incompletely discussed the benefits and risks.  

Provided an insufficient analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications.  Insufficiently stated the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Insufficiently discussed the benefits and risks.  

Provided a partial analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications.  Partially stated the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Partially discussed the benefits and risks.  

Provided a satisfactory analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications.  Satisfactorily stated the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Satisfactorily discussed the benefits and risks.  

Provided a thorough analysis of the technology’s social and ethical implications.  Thoroughly stated the ethical concerns apparent in the use of this technology. Thoroughly discussed the benefits and risks.  

3. Personal viewpoint: Give your personal opinion about the technology. Provide a justification of that opinion.

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely gave your personal opinion about the technology. Did not submit or provided an incomplete justification of that opinion.

Insufficiently gave your personal opinion about the technology. Provided an insufficient justification of that opinion.

Partially gave your personal opinion about the technology. Provided a partial justification of that opinion.

Satisfactorily gave your personal opinion about the technology. Provided a satisfactory justification of that opinion.

Thoroughly gave your personal opinion about the technology. Provided a thorough justification of that opinion.

4. Writing / Support for ideas (5%)

Never uses reasons and evidence that  logically support ideas

Rarely uses reasons and evidence that logically support ideas

Partially uses reasons and evidence that logically support ideas

Mostly uses reasons and evidence that logically support ideas

Consistently uses reasons and evidence that logically support ideas.  

5. Writing / Grammar and mechanics

(5%)

Serious and persistent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Partially free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Mostly free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

6. Writing and Information Literacy / Integration of Sources 

(5%)

Serious errors in the integration of sources, such as intentional or accidental plagiarism or failure to use in-text citations.

Sources are rarely integrated using effective techniques of quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, using in-text citations

Sources are partially integrated using effective techniques of quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, using in-text citations

Sources are mostly integrated using effective techniques of quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, using in-text citations

Sources are consistently integrated using effective techniques of quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, using in-text citations 

7. Information Literacy / Crediting Sources in APA (5%)

Lack of citations and/or lack of reference section and/or citations don’t correspond to listed references

In-text citations and references are given, but not in APA format

Partially shows correct (or approximately correct) use of in-text citations, with matching references using APA-format

Mostly shows correct use of in-text citations with matching references using APA-format

Consistently shows correct use of In-text citations with matching references using APA-format

8. Information Literacy / Research (5%)

Quantity and/or quality of sources are unacceptable

Too few references and/or references are of poor quality

Number of sources is less than expected and/or the quality of sources is questionable.  

Number of sources is sufficient and the quality of sources is mostly good.  

Number of sources is sufficient and the quality of sources is good.