Rainforest Dilemma
This Dilemma is taken from the sociallyresponsiblescience.com.au/ website created by Professor Peter and Dr Lily Taylor. The Dilemmas are designed for a range of ages from primary, secondary to tertiary classrooms.
Curriculum: biology / viruses and bacteria; mathematics/ growth
Two scientists working for a pharmaceutical company are sent to a remote rainforest area in Brazil. They are instructed to take plant-samples to find a remedy against a virus, originating from the African rainforest and spread by tourists who were in contact with the virus. The virus is now is rampaging through the developed world
Curriculum: biology / viruses and bacteria; mathematics/ growth
Two scientists working for a pharmaceutical company are sent to a remote rainforest area in Brazil. They are instructed to take plant-samples to find a remedy against a virus, originating from the African rainforest and spread by tourists who were in contact with the virus. The virus is now is rampaging through the developed world
Anna is a young botanist and works for a pharmaceutical company. She has been with the company for only a few months, so she feels very proud when she is being offered a job within a project which will bring her to the Brazilian Rainforest. This opportunity indicates the company recognises her abilities, and the possibility of a promotion.
Bob, her travelling companion, is senior researcher and the project-leader. Together they must locate plants, which produce a substance useful in fighting the Virus X11; a virus which has recently spread throughout the developed world within a few months.
The first victims of the virus were two tourists who, shortly after arriving back home from their Africa trip, demonstrated traits of a degenerative disease similar to multiple sclerosis, but the degeneration process proceeding much faster. Similar to influenza, the virus seems spread by direct contact with a sick person. Its incubation period is between 3 and 6 months.
So far, several thousand people across Europe and the US have died, and health authorities worldwide have declared this an epidemic, advising people about precautions. However, the knowledge about this disease is limited and as the virus hit without warning there are no vaccines readily available – it seems as if all efforts to produce a vaccine so far have been fruitless, as the virus seems to be mutating fast. Fear is growing everywhere…..
With the virus rampaging through the developed world, the company Bob and Anna are working for has decided to extend the search for a remedy in the Brazilian Rainforest.
Shortly before their departure to Brazil, Anna starts to feel sick. She is running a temperature and has a runny nose. On the one hand, she feels that she should rather stay at home and recuperate in bed, on the other hand she fears this journey is a once in a lifetime chance to set up her career. Despite her body’s warning signals, she takes off, hoping that flu-tablets will help.
Bob, her travelling companion, is senior researcher and the project-leader. Together they must locate plants, which produce a substance useful in fighting the Virus X11; a virus which has recently spread throughout the developed world within a few months.
The first victims of the virus were two tourists who, shortly after arriving back home from their Africa trip, demonstrated traits of a degenerative disease similar to multiple sclerosis, but the degeneration process proceeding much faster. Similar to influenza, the virus seems spread by direct contact with a sick person. Its incubation period is between 3 and 6 months.
So far, several thousand people across Europe and the US have died, and health authorities worldwide have declared this an epidemic, advising people about precautions. However, the knowledge about this disease is limited and as the virus hit without warning there are no vaccines readily available – it seems as if all efforts to produce a vaccine so far have been fruitless, as the virus seems to be mutating fast. Fear is growing everywhere…..
With the virus rampaging through the developed world, the company Bob and Anna are working for has decided to extend the search for a remedy in the Brazilian Rainforest.
Shortly before their departure to Brazil, Anna starts to feel sick. She is running a temperature and has a runny nose. On the one hand, she feels that she should rather stay at home and recuperate in bed, on the other hand she fears this journey is a once in a lifetime chance to set up her career. Despite her body’s warning signals, she takes off, hoping that flu-tablets will help.
Interruption 1 – Dilemma 1:
Remember a situation where you really wanted to do something, the opportunity presented itself, and then suddenly there was a reason why you potentially could not do it? Now, imagine you are Anna. You are trying to set up a career – and suddenly you get sick shortly before you are planning to travel.
· What would you decide?
· Would you take the opportunity and fly to Brazil in spite of your illness? or
· Would you practice caution and postpone travelling until you feel better?
The remainder of the Dilemma is attached below as a Word doc.
Remember a situation where you really wanted to do something, the opportunity presented itself, and then suddenly there was a reason why you potentially could not do it? Now, imagine you are Anna. You are trying to set up a career – and suddenly you get sick shortly before you are planning to travel.
· What would you decide?
· Would you take the opportunity and fly to Brazil in spite of your illness? or
· Would you practice caution and postpone travelling until you feel better?
The remainder of the Dilemma is attached below as a Word doc.