Resources by Institute of Ideas

Fertility Tourism

Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide contains background information to encourage discussion and debate on issues associated with fertility, surrogacy and IVF treatment. Specifically, the resource focuses on whether commercial surrogacy is dehumanising and exploitative or whether it is a win-win...

Fossil Fuels and Energy

This topic guide was produced for the Debating Matters competition. It looks at the issue of fossil fuels and considers whether they should remain unused in the ground. The guide contains information, further reading and web links to allow students to explore and understand the issues.

Providing easy and...

Genetic Screening

Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide gives information, further reading and web links to help students understand the issues around the genetic screening of embryos. The issues at stake include the ability to prevent unnecessary suffering from diseases and concerns about the prospect of a...

Genome editing

This article looks at genome editing and its potential impact on genetically carried diseases, such as Huntingtons or Sickle Cell Anaemia as well as its critics who...

GM Food

From Debating Matters, this topic guide includes information, further reading and web links to help students understand the issues around the use of genetically modified food crops.

Supporters say that genetically-modified (GM) foods can help to provide food for an increasing world population. Opponents...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at international agreements on global greenhouse gas emissions. Are they effective? Are they fair to developing nations?

In December 2009 world leaders congregated in the Danish capital city Copenhagen for the United Nations COP15...

Healthcare Provision and Lifestyle Choices

Are patients entitled to healthcare whatever their lifestyle choices? From Debating Matters, this topic guide addresses the issues around the provision of healthcare. Information, further reading and web links help students to consider and understand the topic.

Does an alcoholic have a right to a liver...

Healthy Behaviour

Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide provides information, further reading and web links on the topic of promoting healthy behaviour. Should economic incentives be used to promote healthy behaviour.

‘Lifestyle diseases’ include illnesses such as smoking-related cancers and lung and...

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Produced by Debating Matters, these materials help students to debate, analyse and understand issues in contemporary science. These materials look at the topic of in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Figures from the UK Office for National Statistics show that 107 women over 50 had babies by IVF in 2009. Advances...

Medical Records

This guide contains information, further reading and web links that help students to understand and debate the issues around patient confidentiality and the use of data for medical research.

Patient confidentiality is central to ethical medical practice. But in the new digital world, many feel that we should...