Many resources, talented people, and informational works were essential to making this project a success.
Darrell Tanaka is an AP Biology teacher and is well informed about the current issues in reproductive technology. He edited all of the written portions of the project and made them more informative and understandable. The feedback was crucial to the improvement of the drafts, which were constantly revised as a result. Darrell Tanaka also has a wide background experience in science fairs and competitions, frequently taking his students to compete in many, such as the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair.
Samara Hoag is a nurse who has a Baccalaureate and Masters Degree in nursing from the University of Washington. She also analyzed and evaluated the written sections, adding constructive and critical comments that were necessary for the advancement in progress. Samara Hoag likewise has background knowledge on preimplantation genetic diagnosis and its scientific processes, making it applicable when editing the drafts.
An invaluable source that I uncovered was the articles in the database Opposing Viewpoints in Context. The database provides many trustworthy news, magazine, and reference articles related to preimplantation genetic diagnosis and the ethical issues it brings along with it. The articles also introduce the stakeholders and their observations and opinions of the issue.
Another source that was uncovered was a detailed, visual way of depicting polymerase chain reaction on the website Learn Genetics Utah. Polymerase chain reaction is a lengthy and complicated process to explain in words, and the ability to view the molecular level of the process was both eye-opening and led to a clear understanding of the concept.
Finally, one article that I found that was crucial to the success of the project was the Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization article, published by Nature Education. Not only does it describe the steps of FISH in detail, but it also uses visuals and explains other small parts of the FISH process (how the fluorescent probes are labeled, for example).
If there are any questions about Darrell Tanaka or Samara Hoag and their contact information, please email [email protected] with any inquiries. Since this is a public website, their contact information will not be directly posted.