Conocimientos y valoraciones de estudiantes de bachillerato sobre la utilización de aplicaciones biotecnológicas

Abstract

The increased use of biotechnology applications is leading to a greater presence of them in Biology curricula in ESO and Baccalaureate. Consequently, it also can be found an increment in educational researches related to their teaching and learning. Thus, the aim of this work is to assess the knowledge and values of 2nd Baccalaureate students about applications in biotechnology and, specifically, about biopharmacology. The analysis of the questionnaires and the individual interviews has targeted towards both the content and the structure of the claims that students reveal. The criteria that they use during the justification of their points of view facilitate the understanding of their decisions. Furthermore, in our work we find that difficulties regarding basic knowledge in areas such as genetics or microbiology can hinder the understanding of biotechnology. On the other hand, our students are more favorable towards applications aimed at solving health problems, or those that do not require animals in research. Finally, we consider it convenient to use socio-scientific controversies based on real contexts in the classroom to achieve a greater degree of student involvement in argumentation practices. To do this, we propose a teaching activity based on the manufacture of insulin for diabetics, which can serve as a reference for teachers of Baccalaureate.