Overview
This week is all about introducing you to the science behind nature. For your primary post, select ONE of the following discussion topics. Using your own words, write a primary post that addresses each question.
Topic 1 [video]: Evo-devo. Watch the video (1)* featuring Sean Carroll discussing the science of evolution and the field of evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo).
- (a) Describe three things that you learned from the video.
- (b) Of the three things you described, which was the most surprising, and why?
- (c) Share what you feel this teaches you about biology (the study of living organisms).
Topic 2 [article]: The cusp of a revolution in medicine. In a recent op-ed, Craig Venter (2)* shares his opinion that we are “on the cusp of a revolution” in medicine.
- (a) Describe three things that you learned from this op-ed.
- (b) Of the three things you describe, which was the most surprising, and why?
- (c) Share what you feel this teaches you about biology (the study of living organisms).
Topic 3 [article]: Earth will survive; we may not. Astrophysicist Adam Frank says that “pretending we can just extend the Holocene in perpetuity” is just a foolish excuse to put off making inevitable choices brought about by climate change.
- (a) What did Frank mean by his statement above?
- (b) Some biologists, particularly conservation biologists reacted negatively to this essay. What is your reaction to this essay?
- (c) Share what you feel this teaches you about biology (the study of living organisms).