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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Debate ethical issues arising from advances in the natural sciences 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
7515  Debate ethical issues arising from advances in the natural sciences 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Natural Sciences in GET and ABET 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Life Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
ABET Level 4  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2003-07-01  2006-06-30  SAQA 1043/02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-06-30   2010-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A candidate credited with this unit standard is able to debate a variety of viewpoints on ethical issues relating to individual, societal, and economic needs as well as to scientific research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Be aware of ethical issues related to the advances of science on the human body and the environment. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Present arguments that reflect a variety of viewpoints on ethical issues relating to individuals. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Ethical issues related to individuals are identified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Opposing viewpoints are identified. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Learners should discuss issues of local and regional significance such as how advances in science have enabled cheaper, safer abortions, organ donations, etc. Learners need only know the basics of science involved.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Supporting statements for each viewpoint are presented and defended. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Present arguments that reflect a variety of viewpoints on ethical issues relating to societal needs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Ethical issues relating to society are identified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Opposing viewpoints are identified with supporting statements for each. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Learners could discuss issues of local, regional or global significance. Issues such as research on animals to produce safe and effective medicines, and cosmetics, research into improved weapons of war including chemicals, nuclear waste disposal, gene alterations and cloning, the effects of pesticides and fertilisers, etc. could be selected. Learners need only know the basics of science involved.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Viewpoints are presented and defended with supporting statements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Present arguments that reflect a variety of viewpoints on ethical issues relating to economic needs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Ethical issues that have financial implications are identified. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Learners should discuss issues of local, regional or global significance. Issues which involve potentially unethical practices because of financial constraints such as unchecked industrial carbon dioxide emissions, high costs of drugs for terminal diseases, and their unavailability for poorer people, - deforestation (for farming, towns), fencing of private land previously used for free movement of wild animals and only plants and animals which are economically useful are protected. Learners need only know the basics of science involved.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. The detrimental effects of unethical practices are recognised. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Viewpoints are presented and defended with supporting statements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Present opposing viewpoints on the ethics of scientific research 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Scientific practices with ethical implications are identified. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Refers to university research practices that have no immediate social or economic implications.
Examples: animal experimentation, theoretical research rather than research concerned with societal needs.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Opposing viewpoints are identified with supporting statements for each. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Alternative methods or alternative types of research are proposed. 



Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and solve problems relating to ethical issues in natural science in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
Communicate effectively debating ethical issues in natural sciences. 

UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
Life and Living: This theme deals with organisms and their interdependence and interactions within their respective environments, how life processes are sustained and how these processes are affected by human activity and other factors.

Matter and Materials: This theme deals with the nature of matter and its properties, both physical and chemical, their uses and their impact on the environment. Covered within this theme are aspects such as the nature and properties of matter, the change in matter and materials, production of natural and synthetic materials, and properties and uses of materials.

Energy and Change: This theme deals with the concept of energy, which is fundamental to understanding both processes of change and life processes. It deals with the transfer of energy in both biological and physical systems and the resultant changes, including movement as change in those systems.

Planet Earth and Beyond: This theme deals with the planet earth from its core, through to its crust and into its upper atmosphere. It deals with physical features of the earth as well as processes that take place in and on the earth`s surface and it`s atmosphere. In addition, the theme deals with the position of the earth within the universe and covers the planet, moon and the stars in relationship to the earth. 

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
  ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core  48495   General Education and Training Certificate: Water Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2023-06-30  EWSETA 
Core  23193   GETC in Ancillary Health Care  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 
2005-02-13  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
Fundamental  22971   General Education and Training Certificate: Conservation  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2012-06-30  CATHSSETA 
Fundamental  14891   National Certificate: Agricultural Machinery Technician  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2007-10-18  Was AgriSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
 
1. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
2. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
3. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
4. GNS ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD 
5. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
6. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
7. NWK Beperk 
8. RCL Foods-Sugar & Milling (MP) 
9. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 



All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.