Controversial Discussion Topics for Physiology Courses

Instructions for the students:

 Students will lead a class discussion in groups of 4 based on the topic selected during class. This presentation must be given on the date
indicated on the class syllabus.
 The group will present an introduction to the class, outlining the background and important issues of the topic. Following this
introduction, the group will involve the entire class in an open discussion of the topic.
 Usually, it is best to assign each group member one of the following aspects of the presentation:
o Introduction
o Pros of the subject
o Cons of the subject
o Conclusion & Leader of Open Class Discussion
 The presentations should last approximately 30 minutes, including the open class discussion.
 All group members should contribute equally to the class discussion, and will be given a common grade.
 For the open class discussion portion, it is helpful for the presenter to have prepared leading questions for their classmates.
o For example, asking the class, “What do you think about morning after pills” will be unlikely to stimulate a class discussion. You
might ask instead, “What would be your reaction if you discovered your 13-year-old sister had used the morning after pill?”

Notes for instructors:

 It should be emphasized to students that:

o They must treat one another with respect at all times during the class discussions.
o The views and beliefs of their classmates should be held in confidence outside of the classroom
o Differences in opinion are to be expected, but all discussions must incorporate logic and respect.
o All students must pay close attention to their body language and nonverbal communication when dealing with the opinions of
others (Ex. Eye-rolling and other forms of disrespect will not be tolerated).
o Any students who are deemed by the instructor to be disrespectful or agitated will be asked to leave the classroom.
The following 15 topics have been used to prompt discussions in undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology I and II courses. Each topic is
followed by several questions that may help to establish talking points.

1. The Use of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medications in Children

 How do ADHD medications work?
 How is ADHD diagnosed?
 What is the prevalence of ADHD medication use in modern day society?
 Is ADHD being over-diagnosed?
 Are there alternative strategies to treat hyperactivity in children?
2. The Abuse of ADHD Medications Among College Students
 What are potential side effects of this use?
 What can be done by students, faculty, and administration to prevent this abuse?
 Does the abuse of ADHD medications give some students an unfair advantage?
3. The Use of Antidepressant Medications in Modern Society
 What are the main types of antidepressant medications?
 Are these medications over-prescribed in modern-day society?
 Are there alternative strategies to help treat depression?
4. Flu Pandemics: Will it happen again?
 What are some of the main flu pandemics that have occurred in history?
 What species do you think the next flu pandemic will be derived from?
 Will this pandemic be as severe as the past flu pandemics?
 How would a flu pandemic differ from the annual influenza infections?
 How long would it take vaccinations to be developed against a strain of flu? How does this compare to a timeline of infection?
5. The Black Market for Organ Transplants
 Is it an urban legend or does it really exist?
 Where does the black market occur? Who are the consumers? Suppliers?
 What role do “middle-men” play in the process?
 Should organ trade be legalized?
6. Energy drinks
 What do energy drinks do to the body?
 How much is too much?
 Should the use of energy drinks be regulated?
 Should children be allowed to drink energy drinks? Pregnant women? The elderly?
7. Health Insurance Coverage for Smokers
 Should health insurance companies be allowed to test new clients for evidence of smoking?
 Should health insurance companies be allowed to drop the coverage of smokers?
 Should health insurance companies be allowed to charge higher premiums to smokers?
 Should smoking cessation aids be covered by insurance?
8. Over-the-counter Vitamins and Supplements
 Should OTC vitamins and supplements be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
 What are the potential risks of patients not disclosing OTC vitamin and supplement use to their health care providers?
 Should vitamins and supplements require a prescription?
9. OTC Weight-Loss Aids
 Which OTC weight-loss aids are FDA approved?
 Should all OTC weight-loss aids undergo FDA approval?
 What are potential side effects of the main types of weight-loss aids?
 Should the use of OTC weight-loss aids be restricted in underage individuals?
10. Gastric surgery for Weight-Loss
 What are the main types of gastric surgery used for weight loss?
 What are the potential risks or complications of these surgeries?
 What percentage of patients regain their weight? How does this occur?
11. Required Immunizations for Health Care Workers
 What immunizations are required to work in local area health care centers?
 Should these immunizations be required?
12. Legally blind doctors
 Should legally blind doctors be allowed to practice medicine?
 Are there cases where this has occurred?
 Does the practice of legally blind doctors put patients at risk?
 Does the practice of legally blind doctors put an unfair burden on their colleagues?
 What devices are available to assist legally blind doctors?
13. Morning-after pills
 What are the current regulations on morning-after pills?
 How do these pills differ from monthly birth control pills?
 Should morning-after pills be available without a prescription?
 Should underage females be able to obtain morning-after pills?
14. Minimum age for premature babies
 Should hospitals establish a minimum gestational age at which premature babies must be in order to invoke life-saving
interventions?
 What are the financial, physiological, and emotional implications of establishing such a regulation?
 Would birth weight be a better indicator than gestational age?
15. Genetic engineering of babies
 Is genetic engineering of babies feasible?
 Should parents be allowed to select the sex of their baby? Specific genetic traits such as eye color?
 Should genetic engineering be allowed in cases of genetic diseases?