Science as a Human Endeavour SACE assessment BIOSECURITY example

Science as a Human Endeavour SACE assessment EXAMPLE

South Australia is the only Australian mainland state that is free of fruit fly. The prevention, detection and eradication of fruit fly is managed by biosecurity. Biosecurity SA has constructed a $3.8 million Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility in Port Augusta to help combat the threat of fruit fly.   
                          

link to more information (http://pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly/what_we_do)

Senior Science BITL questions:

·       How might the development of biosecurity impact on South Australia socially, economically and culturally?

·       What ethical considerations might need to be considered if biosecurity is introduced for this scientific knowledge of fruit flies and the control of other species? 

·       How might biosecurity of fruit flies be beneficial for society? Could it be harmful for society?

·       Can you think of any unintended consequences for how this scientific knowledge might be used?

·       How might this scientific knowledge be used to evaluate projected economic, social and environmental impacts?

·       How might this scientific knowledge be used to design action for sustainability and provide opportunities for innovation? 

·       How might this scientific knowledge be used to inform the monitoring, assessment and evaluation of risk? 

·       How do scientists offer reliable and valid explanations?

·       How does scientific knowledge enable scientists to make reliable predictions?

·       How can scientists communicate the uncertainty of the data available while still being supporting the public with debate over an issue? How can scientists support the interpretation of the data to the public to reduce it being open to question?

Key concept of Science as a Human Endeavour used in this example:

Application and Limitation

·       Scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry can enable scientists to develop solutions, make discoveries, design action for sustainability, evaluate economic, social, and environmental impacts, offer valid explanations, and make reliable predictions.

·       The use of scientific knowledge may have beneficial or unexpected consequences; this requires monitoring, assessment, and evaluation of risk, and provides opportunities for innovation.

·       Science informs public debate and is in turn influenced by public debate; at times, there may be complex, unanticipated variables or insufficient data that may limit possible conclusions.