Interactive ethics teaching for students of chemistry

Abstract Choosing an approach is a regular occurrence for chemists, be it for a new synthesis, a change in production, or out of financial necessity. Arriving at a decision which is right for the individual means weighing up options, even making ethical decisions. The interactive teaching approaches described here involve student chemists making choices in situations they may encounter. The goal is not to instruct chemistry students on what is right or wrong but to encourage them to debate issues and to reach a conclusion which they consider to be ethical. Two teaching approaches are described which are adaptable for many different scenarios; the scenarios were developed to encourage discussion about dual-use issues, issues in which chemicals can be used for good or ill. In the first exercise chemists are invited to make a drug using a simple chemical process and answer a range of questions. This is followed by role play to determine if the chemist might sell the drug to profit from it. A further exercise, using a jigsaw technique, with greater opportunity for discussion is also described. More actors, with different agendas, are introduced into the discussion and student chemists explore circumstances they may be in, make decisions and justify choices. Group discussions enable educators to discuss ethical dilemmas.