PART I: INTRODUCTION   The year is 2020. You have pursued various careers in science, business, medicine, etc. in the 11 or so years since you graduated from Colgate. Because of your knowledge about evolution and the dinosaur fossil record, you've been asked to participate in a landmark case that will decide if dinosaurs should be cloned from ancient DNA. Experts with various backgrounds and interests - and knowledge about dinosaurs and the evolutionary process - are being assembled to aid in the decision-making process. You and your colleagues will be deciding if extinct species should be brought back to life. You don't have long to decide either - new cloning techniques are being tested around the world and the possibility of resurrecting extinct species may soon be within our grasp. Keller Securities has offered to sponsor your participation, so you and other Colgate alums have been brought together for a debriefing of the situation. Here is what you learn:

Termites in 30 million-year-old amber and laboratory breakdowns of their DNA patterns [Smithsonian, 1993, v. 23 (23), p. 29] used with kind permission of the photographer, Henry Groskinsky

"Many of you remember from the evolution class you took at Colgate many years ago that dinosaurs were the dominant forms of life on land for more than 100 million years. Dinosaurs lived on all continents in a wide spectrum of environments from the poles to the tropics. All of the evidence suggests that dinosaurs were successful, complex animals well adapted to conditions on Earth. In fact, many scientists believe that the evolutionary potential of mammals was suppressed throughout the entire Mesozoic because of the supremacy and dominance of the dinosaurs. Only during Pangea break-up and after dinosaurs were removed from the scene did mammals undergo an evolutionary radiation to occupy many of the niches left vacant as a result of the Cretaceous/Tertiary mass extinction. In the decades since the asteroid hypothesis was first proposed by Walter Alvarez and others to explain the sudden demise of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, scientists have continued to accumulate incontrovertible evidence that the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by an impacting asteroid from outer space. Substantiation of this theory proves that dinosaurs became extinct NOT because of "bad genes" or a lack of adaptability to natural changes taking place on Earth but because of random bad luck caused by a horrifying extraterrestrial event that wiped out a significant percentage of Earth's species at the end of the Mesozoic. With recent advances in molecular biology, we now have at our disposal the technology that will enable us to reverse this unfortunate set of circumstances for the dinosaurs. Sources of dinosaur DNA have been identified at several (secret) sites around the world. Available technology will enable us to extract the fossilized DNA from dinosaur remains, purify it, concentrate or amplify it, and replicate it before implanting the dinosaur DNA into donor eggs from closely related species. Here is our chance to undo the after-effects of the asteroid and return to Earth closely managed members of the dominant life forms that preceded us in time. Since the evolution of Homo sapiens  in the past half million years, we have been accused of propagating a new mass extinction. Many scientists now believe that the so-called "Sixth Extinction" began in the Pleistocene as recently as 50,000-100,000 years ago when humans as hunters or disease vectors began a worldwide decimation of megafauna (e.g., large-bodied mammals). Scientists from every continent have expressed their growing concerns that this mass extinction event continues to accelerate today, rivaling the Mesozoic mass extinction in the scope and intensity of species extinctions around the globe. With new cloning techniques, we now have within our grasp the opportunity to reverse the deadly decline of global biodiversity and reinstate to Earth critical members of global ecosystems that existed here only a short time ago, geologically speaking. Your decision will determine the ultimate fate of the dinosaurs. Should they be doomed to extinction forever or brought back to the Earth they should have inherited? You will have several days to evaluate the situation and prepare a report that will enable the judges in this case to reach a final decision. The latest information about scientific research on cloning has been made available to you, including some discussion about human cloning. But remember, this is a case about whether dinosaurs, not  humans, should be cloned. Thank you for your participation in an historic case that will have global implications." HERE'S THE SITUATION You have several days before you and your colleagues must decide the fate of the dinosaurs before a world audience anxious to know your decision. Before reaching any conclusions, however, you need to understand more about the science of cloning; genetic engineering of ancient DNA; how to develop a dinosaur embryo and successfully raise it to adulthood; animal husbandry issues related to supporting a living, adult dinosaur under post-Mesozoic conditions; safety issues; ethical issues, etc. To facilitate court proceedings, each of you will serve either as a judge or represent a particular specialty on one of two teams: one team will argue the case in support of dinosaur cloning and the other will present arguments against dinosaur cloning. Each team (either for or against cloning) will comprise six specialist types (investor, paleontologist, etc.) who will present testimony to the Judges. Each specialist type will be represented by several people, including one person who will act as "designated hitter" at trial for that specialist group (see responsibility explained below). ROLE ASSIGNMENTS High Court Judges (8) responsible for making final decision after hearing from two teams of specialists Two Teams-- One For and the Other Against Dinosaur Cloning each team comprises specialists who provide Judges with expert testimony as: investors (6)# paleontologists (5) geneticists (5) ethicists (5) veterinarians (5) civilians (6)# 1 of each specialist type will be a "designated hitter"* at trial: 1 investor and 1 civilian will serve as "opener" and "closer" (see below)     Individual Specialist and Team Responsibilities For the trial, each member of each specialist group (including the "designated hitter," "opener" and "closer") prepares (individually) a one- to two-page (max), double-spaced, typed report that is exceptionally well written, representing your position using your own words and phrases and citing any references that you used. It is ok to confer with your partners and teammates (not the judges), but do your write-up on your own. Notice that under Grading Assessment, points will be awarded to those who show special creativity and develop exceptionally worthy or original ideas based on research that either builds on or goes beyond the information provided in each specialist page. These reports become the basis for oral testimony given at trial. Be prepared with your partners to present your case (5-6 minutes max! per specialist group) to the Esteemed Judges using whatever creative, innovative, educational, but worthy means you decide--but keep in mind that each team will have no more than 35 minutes to present its entire case. #One investor will give his/her 1 minute presentation to "open" the case, and one civilian will give his/her 1 minute presentation to "close" the case for the "for" and "against" teams. *Also please note that the "designated hitter" on each team will not give a 1-2 minute presentation but rather will be responsible for answering 2 questions from the Esteemed Judges, answering 1 question from the opposing team's "designated hitter," and posing 1 question to the opposing team's "designated hitter." Please be prepared to start the debate on time so that we can accommodate everyone who will be giving testimony and can allow the judges enough time to ask questions and reach a majority decision before court is adjourned. Because of the number of specialists who will be presenting a 1 minute (max!) testimonial each, Power Pt. or other computer-based presentations are NOT permitted. However, specialists ARE encouraged to dress appropriately for their roles, teams can bring placards or posters with supporting graphics, etc. or engage in other educationally worthy activities to bring a creative, but non-disruptive flair to the proceedings. Judges' Responsibilities The judges should approach their roles as highly educated, ultra objective, scrupulous decision-makers.For the trial date, each judge should prepare (individually) a one- to two-page (max!), double-spaced, typed statement (as above) that is exceptionally well written, indicating his/her position (for or against dinosaur cloning) before hearing the depositions in class. It is ok to confer with your fellow judges, but do your write-up on your own using your own words and phrases and citing any references that you used. Notice that under Grading Assessment, points will be awarded to those who show special creativity and develop exceptionally worthy or original ideas based on research that either builds on or goes beyond the information provided in each specialist page. Judges, of course, should not engage in conversations with members of either team before testimony is given. Before the court session, judges should designate someone as "Chief Judge" and should have predetermined how to call upon the specialists in an orderly, organized, and fair fashion, allowing each team no more than 35 minutes to plead its case. Judges should be prepared to pose 2 questions to the "designated hitter" for each specialist group, and the Chief Judge should make sure that the "designated hitters" question each other after each specialist group has given its testimony. Judges will have a chance to confer with each other briefly after hearing all of the depositions and so will have the opportunity to change their positions in response to particularly persuasive testimony or argument. By the end of trial, the judges will announce a majority opinion about whether to allow dinosaur cloning. Please be prepared to start trial on time so that we can accommodate everyone who will be giving testimony and can allow the judges enough time to ask questions and reach a decision before court is adjourned. Grading Assessment Your participation in this exercise will be worth 50 points total. My assessment of your work will be as follows: 5 pts. for the presentation given by your group of specialists (or judges) with an additional 3 pts. (max.) awarded for creativity; 5 pts. for your individual presentation with an additional 2 pts. (max.) awarded for creativity; 35 pts. for your written report. Please note that the first two classes for Cloning I and II are very important because roles will be assigned and class will be devoted to collecting data and working with teammates. Your full participation is expected. Absences because of serious illness or a family emergency will be excused if I receive notification before class; points will be deducted for any unexcused absences. As you can well anticipate, judges and specialist teams will be depending on all members to contribute to the success of the debate. Your written report should follow the directions in the "responsibilities" sections above and will be graded on both its scientific/educational content and presentation. Good grammar and spelling as well as careful proofreading of a polished text will definitely count in your favor! Points will be awarded to those who show special creativity and develop exceptionally worthy or original ideas based on research that either builds on or goes beyond the information provided in each specialist page. Specialists should make sure that their group presentation is coordinated so that members representing the same specialty (on the same team) do not duplicate information being presented to the judges. Late assignments will not be accepted. Please note in particular that last-minute problems with computer disks, printers, internet access, etc., will be inexcusable reasons for not having your written assignment completed on time. Please plan ahead to avoid last-minute headaches! PROCEEDINGS SCHEDULE Today, you'll begin working with your partners using computers and the web exercise so that you can confer about the discussion questions posed in Part II of the exercise. Judges and specialists should follow the directions in this web exercise, looking specifically at the page that refers to their specialty in Part II. These pages will give starter ideas for an approach to take and clues about how a person with that specialty might think. Be sure to check Parts I and II, discussion questions, web links, and the cloning e-folder. Also there are helpful resources in the science library, including journal articles, books, etc. as well as lots of opinion and news pieces on the internet. Your textbooks will be helpful, too. Please return to class at 10:55 today for a Q & A session. Thursday, you'll see a video on dinosaurs that will give interesting background information on the topic you're debating and relate very well both to the discussion questions and to the upcoming court session. After that, we'll have a week of regular class meetings with time to clarify any remaining questions before we go to trial. On the trial date, we'll hold court to decide the fate of the dinosaurs. Please be prepared to start the trial on time so that we can accommodate everyone who will be giving testimony and can allow the judges enough time to ask questions and reach a majority decision before court is adjourned. 2020 CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP The university is proud to announce co-sponsorship of the Colgate High Tribunal with "Really Big Lizards, Inc." - THE internet source for genetically engineered prehistoric animals. Using techniques and technologies popularized in the fictional book and movie Jurassic Park, "Really Big Lizards, Inc." has actually cracked the genetic code and is ready to begin limited commercial breeding of a select variety of prehistoric animals - once we know the Judges' decision. We will have a small number of breeder pairs of animals available in the spring of 2021. Please review our pricing and availability below. Flying "Dinosaurs" These animals must be kept in a suitable aviary made of sturdy materials. Wingspans of some specimens may attain 8-10 meters. Pteranodon - Expected 2021 - $35,000 per pair Pterodactyl (Texas sp) - Available Soon - $25,000 per pair Herbivorous Dinosaurs These animals will require a large grazing area and tall sturdy fencing. May be fed on most American grasses and plants. Ankylosaurus - Expected 2021 - $15,000 per pair Triceratops - Available Soon - $20,000 per pair Carnivorous Dinosaurs May be kept in smaller enclosures than herbivores, but will require large quanities of either live or frozen feeder animals. Allosaurus - Expected 2021 - $20,000 per pair Tyrannosaurus rex - Expected 2023 - $45,000 per pair Velociraptor - Available Now!!! - $10,000 per pair Tools and Supplies Mite Spray - 55 Gallon Drum - $700 Worming Paste - 55 Gallon Tube - $900 "Piggy" Pump - for picky feeders - $500 22' Steel "Travel" Cage - for pets on the go - $19,995.95 Set of 8' stainless steel sexing probes (5) - $220 20' Feeding Tongs - $350 ZooMed Herbivore Food Ð 50 lb bags - $100 "Really Big Lizards, Inc." is not responsible for the actions of your specimens upon delivery. Injuries, disfigurements, maulings and fatalities may occur if improper care or housing is attempted. All animals shipped with live-on-arrival guarantee via Air Cargo, Sea Cargo, or USPS Priority Mail based on weight per metric ton per mile; please call for a quote. All animal purchases include detailed care guide and emergency contact list. Buying a dinosaur is a serious investment; these are not "throwaway" pets. We recommend that anyone considering purchasing a dinosaur, especially a large predator, spend some time investigating the purchase. There is nothing worse than having to explain to the local animal control why all the neigborhood cats, dogs, cows, paperboys and girls, and UPS trucks keep disappearing around your house. It is up to YOU to verify that you're within all local, state, federal and international regulations, laws, covenants, and licensing. "Really Big Lizards, Inc." is a division of AprilFirstBioEngineering. Please contact our sales department for a price quote. (used with permission and modified from: http://www.lizardkeepers.com/)   Go To: Should Dinosaurs Be Cloned... Part II