When discussing the ethics of biomedical science, Harry Potter is not the first topic that springs to mind. An aptly chosen JK Rowling quote was, however, used by the Leinster team in their winning speech in the Debating Science Issues final on 27 March.
Team captain Alexander Fay from St Joseph’s Secondary CBS in Fairview, Dublin, opened his speech with a quote from Rowling’s second book: “It’s our choices that show who we truly are.”
Teams from Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven, Co Cork (left) and St Joseph’s Secondary CBS, Fairview, Dublin (right) with chair of the debate, Catherine Buckley from the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (centre)
Leinster versus Munster
The topic for the Debating Science Issues final was on the ethics of an organ transplantation system and whether a potential transplant recipient’s contribution to society should be a factor when distributing organs.
The Leinster team was debating that medical need should be the only factor considered whereas their Munster opponents from Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven in Co Cork were against this motion.
Ethical issues
Danielle Nicholson from REDDSTAR, Orbsen Therapeutics, based in NUI Galway, is the organiser of Debating Science Issues. She sees science as a vehicle for dialogue. “I think that the way forward in science and research is to challenge issues that often go unnoticed and undiscussed.”
This all-Ireland competition encourages secondary students to discuss issues surrounding biomedical science through workshops and debates. Nicholson says the science curriculum is just an introduction to science.
“Students are much more capable than that which is in the science curriculum,” she adds.
Manolito Aviles from St Joseph’s Secondary CBS, Fairview, Dublin
Encouraging enthusiasm
The competition organisers have evaluated 5,000 students who have taken part in the previous six years of the competition and found that it increases their interest in science.
The Dublin team speakers say they felt phenomenal after their win. Both Fay and Manolito Aviles, who are in transition year, have picked the three science subjects for their Leaving Cert. Fay says the competition really deepened his interest in science.
“It really opened our eyes up to things that we wouldn’t have necessarily paid attention to.” Aviles agrees and says the knowledge they gained from researching the debate topics was unbelievable.
High standard
Before announcing the winner, Dr Paola Atzei of Science Foundation Ireland, which sponsored the finals, told the teams: “You guys are the future.”
Nicholson was also impressed: “I thought the students did brilliantly.” She says they are always looking for new schools and teachers to take part in the project. Details of local organisers across Ireland can be found on the Debating Science Issues website.
Albert Lecture Theatre in the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, where the final was held
