Published by Australian Academy of Science
Activity 8 | Prions – morphing agents of disease

Animal experimentation – a debate

CJD in humans – regardless of whether it is spontaneous or connected with eating BSE-contaminated meat – is a slow-acting disease. It causes depression, loss of coordination, loss of memory and personality changes. Experiments which involve killing laboratory animals might help us to understand this condition.

• Hold a debate on the following topic:

  That animal experimentation is justified when the results will benefit humans.

Teachers notes

Debates are only effective if the participants are well informed on the topic. Encourage students to prepare for a debate by having each student produce a summary of appropriate facts, or by dividing the class and having half prepare arguments for one side of the topic and half prepare arguments for the other side. Students could do this preparation individually or in groups. Alternatively, the debate could be preceded by a discussion of the topic, followed by an opportunity for students to collect information highlighted by the discussion.