Chapter 1: Science and Ethics: Merging Boundaries.- Chapter 2: Ethics in Science: An Inquiry into Bioethical Issues.- Chapter 3: Place of Ethical Issues in the Science Curriculum- A case of K-12 Biology Textbook.- Chapter 4: Pedagogical Approaches to Ethical Issues.- Chapter 5: Negotiating Ethical Issues in Classroom: Case Narratives of K-12 Teachers.- Chapter 6: Negotiating Ethical Issues in Classroom: Case Narratives of Undergrad Teachers.- Chapter 7: Learning So Far- Teachers’ Knowledge Domains in addressing Ethical Issues.- Chapter 8: Assessment of Ethical Understanding- Tools & Techniques.
Dr. Astha Saxena has done her Master’s in Zoology and Education with a Ph.D. in the area of Science Education from Department of Education, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. She has published papers, written articles, reports in the area of science education, teacher education and sociology and philosophy of science in reputed National and International Journals. Her key interest areas include Science Education, Science and Ethics, Bioethics, Environment Education, Teacher Education at elementary, secondary, senior secondary and higher education levels. She has been associated with organisations such as NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) for developing Textbook on Pedagogy of Biological Sciences, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for Biology, Teacher Education and designing curriculum for Adolescence Health Programme. She was formerly teaching in Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India and is presently working as a Consultant at Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, India.
The book approaches the subject of ethics in science from a pedagogical and pragmatic
viewpoint and addresses the need to effectively deal with these issues in science classrooms
at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, drawing on real-world cases to do so. The book also
explores ethical issues in connection with recent biotechnological advances and urges the
reader to move beyond a disciplinary understanding and adopt an interdisciplinary view
of the entire issue.
Intended to initiate a process of reflecting on and investigating these ethical issues related
to biotechnologies, and to enable the reader to take a personal stance on these issues rather
than being led by outside agencies, the book offers a source of in-depth study material for
researchers working in this area, as well as a training manual for teachers at both in-service
& pre-service level, teacher educators, curriculum designers and professionals working in
the field. Combining theory and practice, and including teachers’ reflections on their own
pedagogic practice, it offers a valuable resource to help teaching professionals conduct
experiments and achieve pedagogic innovations in their own work.
“‘Ethics in Science- Pedagogic Issues & Concerns’ is an excellent textbook for high school and
college students that provides an overview of the ethical issues in science and technology and
includes useful cases studies and questions for discussion. I recommend it highly.”
—David B. Resnik, JD, PhD, Bioethicist and IRB Chair, National Institute for
Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA
“Given the recent proliferation of biological and biomedical knowledge, the need for education
in the relationship between science and ethics has become ever increasingly essential. The book
by Dr. Saxena provides a valuable introduction on how to inaugurate such an education. This
book is an excellent template for those attempting to teach science and ethics.”
—Bernard.E.Rollin, University Distinguished Professor,
Colorado State University, Colorado, USA
“This book by Dr Astha Saxena, a well-qualified educationist, fulfils a need for such a book
for students of Science and Technology stream. The coverage is comprehensive and the writing
is lucid. I endorse this book as it will bring a criticality of thinking among Indian students.”
—Kambadur Muralidhar PhD, FASc, FNASc, FNA,
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
“Science without ethics can lead to false scientific claims as well as unbridled technological
growth. The present book conceptualizes this integration of ethics and science beautifully with