This document outlines an assignment for a gene technology course. Students must write a 4-6 page paper on one of several biotechnology topics, organized into sections on the biological basis of the technology, its social and ethical implications, and the student's personal viewpoint. The assignment provides grading criteria in areas such as describing the science behind the technology, analyzing its social effects, justifying a personal opinion, writing mechanics, and use of sources.

1. 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:
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.
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.
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.
Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment, in

2. 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.
RUBRIC
Points: 120
Assignment 2:
Gene Technology
Criteria
Unacceptable
Below 60% F

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.