Debate format

Here are the arguments:
1. Genetic engineering in humans (babies) should be prohibited by law.
2. Genetic engineering in humans should not only be legal, but should be encouraged and pursued.

1. Genetic engineering of agriculture should be prohibited by law.
2. Genetic engineering of agriculture should not only be legal, but should be encouraged and pursued.

The procedure:

A coin will be flipped to see which side of the debate goes first.

Part I:
1. Introduction from Team A (2 minutes)
2. Introduction from Team B (2 minutes)

Part II:
1. First constructive argument from Team A. (2.5 minutes)
2. First constructive argument from Team B. (2.5 minutes)
3. Second constructive argument from Team A. (2.5 minutes)
4. Second constructive argument from Team B. (2.5 minutes)
5. Third constructive argument from Team A. (2.5 minutes)
6. Third constructive argument from Team B. (2.5 minutes)

(3 minutes) for both sides to discuss strategy for rebuttal.

Part III:
Crossfire/Rebuttal:
During this period, participants challenge and rebut the points made by the opposition. They may ask and answer questions during this time. This is an open format, but all debaters must be respectful to each other. (12-15 minutes)

(1 minute) to prepare the closing statement.

Part IV:
Closing statement: One person from each team summarizes their position on the debate (1.5 minute each side).

Total time: 40-43 minutes


A FEW POINTS:

1. The introduction and the conclusion should be done by different members of the team.

2. You may not read directly from your paper as if its a script. I know they do this in the debates I've posted for you to watch but this is not how we will do it in class. You may have notes to read from to keep you focused, but you must talk to your opposition and your audience, which means you shouldn't be looking down at your paper the whole time.