The book approaches the subject of ethics in science from a pedagogical and pragmatic viewpoint and addresses the need to effectively deal with these issues in science classrooms at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, drawing on real-world cases to do so. The book also explores ethical issues in connection with recent biotechnological advances and urges the reader to move beyond a disciplinary understanding and adopt an interdisciplinary view of the entire issue.
Intended to initiate a process of reflecting on and investigating these ethical issues related to biotechnologies, and to enable the reader to take a personal stance on these issues rather than being led by outside agencies, the book offers a source of in-depth study material for researchers working in this area, as well as a training manual for teachers at both in-service & pre-service level, teacher educators, curriculum designers and professionals working in the field. Combining theory and practice, and including teachers' reflections on their own pedagogic practice, it offers a valuable resource to help teaching professionals conduct experiments and achieve pedagogic innovations in their own work.
"'Ethics in Science- Pedagogic Issues & Concerns' is an excellent textbook for high school and college students that provides an overview of the ethical issues in science and technology and includes useful cases studies and questions for discussion. I recommend it highly."
--David B. Resnik, JD, PhD, Bioethicist and IRB Chair, National Institute for
Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA
"Given the recent proliferation of biological and biomedical knowledge, the need for education in the relationship between science and ethics has become ever increasingly essential. The book by Dr. Saxena provides a valuable introduction on how to inaugurate such an education. This book is an excellent template for those attempting to teach science and ethics."
--Bernard.E.Rollin, University Distinguished Professor,
Colorado State University, Colorado, USA
"This book by Dr Astha Saxena, a well-qualified educationist, fulfils a need for such a book for students of Science and Technology stream. The coverage is comprehensive and the writing is lucid. I endorse this book as it will bring a criticality of thinking among Indian students."
--Kambadur Muralidhar PhD, FASc, FNASc, FNA,
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
"Science without ethics can lead to false scientific claims as well as unbridled technological growth. The present book conceptualizes this integration of ethics and science beautifully with academic rigour."
--Alka Behari, Professor, Department of Education,
University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
About the Author: Dr. Astha Saxena has done her Master's in Zoology and Education with a Ph.D. in the area of Science Education from Department of Education, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. She has published papers, written articles, reports in the area of science education, teacher education and sociology and philosophy of science in reputed National and International Journals. Her key interest areas include Science Education, Science and Ethics, Bioethics, Environment Education, Teacher Education at elementary, secondary, senior secondary and higher education levels. She has been associated with organisations such as NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) for developing Textbook on Pedagogy of Biological Sciences, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for Biology, Teacher Education and designing curriculum for Adolescence Health Programme. She was formerly teaching in Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India and is presently working as a Consultant at Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, India.