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Viruses On Trial

Life is the object of biology yet its definition is somewhat elusive! What does it really mean to be alive? Scientists
generally agree that there are 6 criteria for being considered alive.

● Living things are made of cells.


● Living things obtain and use energy.
● Living things grow and develop.
● Living things reproduce.
● Living things respond to their environment.
● Living things adapt to their environment.

While these criteria help us understand whether something is alive or not, there is certainly some question as to how
many of these criteria must be met before something is considered alive. Today, you will be placed into the role of a
judge, a prosecuting attorney, or a defense attorney charged with deciding, once and for all, is a virus alive?

Judge
Your task is simple: Listen to the evidence presented by each side and render a decision. As with any judicial
decision, your verdict must be based on the evidence presented by each lawyer. Be prepared to not provide a
decision but also to provide reasons why you chose to render the verdict that you did. In other words, provide an
evidence based answer to the question: Are viruses alive?

Example:
This court finds that viruses are alive because…
Or
This court finds that a virus is not alive because…

Attorneys
Your task is also simple: Convince the judge that he should decided in your favor by providing explanations,
examples, analogies, and information that support your argument.

Prosecuting Attorney: Defense Attorney:


Prove that viruses are NOT alive. Prove that viruses ARE alive.

Both sides should begin their arguments with the same introduction:

“May it please the court. My name is ______________ and I represent the prosecution/defense in this case.

Defense: Viruses are alive because...


or
Prosecution: Viruses are not alive because...
Prosecuting Attorney Notes:
Research Time: The first portion of your time will be spent researching your position. In particular, pay attention to the
elements/criteria of living things:
● Living things are made of cells.
○ Is a virus considered a cell?
○ What characteristics or features must something have to be considered a cell?
● Living things obtain and use energy.
○ Does a virus have the machinery to use energy? What is necessary to use energy?
● Living things grow and develop.
○ What does it mean, scientifically, to grow and develop? These are two very different terms.
● Living things reproduce.
○ Can a virus reproduce under its own power? Does it matter?
● Living things respond to their environment.
○ What type of actions fit this phrase “respond to environment” and do viruses meet this definition?
● Living things adapt to their environment.
○ What does it mean to adapt to an environment and do viruses actually do this?

Obviously, you are looking to find as many ways as you can that viruses to do not meet these criteria. The fewer they
meet, the less likely they are to be considered alive.

Preparation of Argument: Keep your presentation short: 3 to 4 minutes. Always start with your strongest argument.
Find comparisons of things that meet some of the criteria but are not considered alive. Cite specific websites or
organizations that support your side of the argument:

“According to the National Biology Teachers’ Association,…”


“According to the website for Scientific American...”

Citing well known sources or experts in the field will lend authority to your position and make your argument more
believable to the judge.

Defense Attorney Notes:


Research Time: The first portion of your time will be spent researching your position. In particular, pay attention to the
elements/criteria of living things:

● Living things are made of cells.


○ Is a virus considered a cell?
○ What characteristics or features must something have to be considered a cell?
● Living things obtain and use energy.
○ Does a virus have the machinery to use energy? What is necessary to use energy?
● Living things grow and develop.
○ What does it mean, scientifically, to grow and develop? These are two very different terms.
● Living things reproduce.
○ Can a virus reproduce under its own power? Does it matter?
● Living things respond to their environment.
○ What type of actions fit this phrase “respond to environment” and do viruses meet this definition?
● Living things adapt to their environment.
○ What does it mean to adapt to an environment and do viruses actually do this?

Obviously, you are looking to find as many ways as you can that viruses to meet these criteria. The more they meet,
the more likely they are to be considered alive.

Preparation of Argument: Keep your presentation short: 3 to 4 minutes. Always start with your strongest argument.
Find comparisons of things that don’t meet all of the criteria yet are considered alive. Cite specific websites or
organizations that support your side of the argument:

“According to the National Biology Teachers’ Association,…”


“According to the website for Scientific American...”

Citing well known sources or experts in the field will lend authority to your position and make your argument more
believable to the judge.

Judge Notes:
Research Time: Your time will be spent researching both sides of this argument. In particular, pay attention to the
elements/criteria of living things:

● Living things are made of cells.


○ Is a virus considered a cell?
○ What characteristics or features must something have to be considered a cell?
● Living things obtain and use energy.
○ Does a virus have the machinery to use energy? What is necessary to use energy?
● Living things grow and develop.
○ What does it mean, scientifically, to grow and develop? These are two very different terms.
● Living things reproduce.
○ Can a virus reproduce under its own power? Does it matter?
● Living things respond to their environment.
○ What type of actions fit this phrase “respond to environment” and do viruses meet this definition?
● Living things adapt to their environment.
○ What does it mean to adapt to an environment and do viruses actually do this?

Trial Proceedings: Your job is extremely important. After listening to both sides of the argument, you will need to
render a verdict: Is a virus alive or not? Treat this as if it were a criminal case and the personal freedom of a person
rested upon your decision. Carefully listen to both sides of the argument, take notes on what each attorney presents,
and after serious consideration of the research you performed, provide an evidence-based answer to our central
question.

Your decision should not be based on which attorney you like better or your research alone. It should be based on the
quality of the information provided by the attorney.

Research Notes:

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