While at first glance the title might lead you to believe that this two day outing to Biosphere 2 was thought-provoking but generally dull, but this assumption would be only half right. The experience was both thought provoking and very entertaining.

Day one began with an exploration of medical ethics and acknowledgement of the fact that concisely defining ethics is a nearly impossible task. The small group activity, which followed, allowed individuals to question their own ethics and determine how they would act when posed with the dilemma of killing one patient to possibly save another. By providing a wide of variety of endings to the scenario, it was emphasized that we often have no way of knowing what the ultimate outcome may be when making an ethical decision.

The afternoon was filled with a discussion on human rights and, for many, an introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Small groups again met to examine problems that society faces and how human rights are associated with these problems. Our last formal discussion of the day was an examination of different views on environmental ethics and how they are present in current governmental policy.

In order to be better prepared for the Biosphere 2 tour, Matt Adamson, Biosphere 2 Program Coordinator, explained the complicated history of the place as well as the cult-like nature of the eight original biospherians.  Though the weather was dreary, the evening progressed with a viewing of The Fountain followed by a hilarious game of the 1980s version of Scruples. Laughter carried on for hours as we all grew closer through answers of "yes, no, or depends" to a multitude of ethical dilemmas.

Our second and final day began with our official Biosphere 2 tour complete with an eccentric tour guide emphasizing the fact that "we can make it rain 24 hours a day, seven days a week," although we were all wondering when she would deem herself all powerful. Nonetheless, Biosphere 2 was spectacular from the rainforest, to the lung, to the grounds themselves, and in my opinion, if you're already in Tucson; it's not to be missed.

The final and perhaps most entertaining portion of the retreat began with an introduction to professional and research ethics by Dr. Frans Tax, Molecular & Cellular Biology. This covered everything from the laboratory hierarchy to what you should and should not do during your first week of work. Once all four discussions of ethics were complete, each small group presented a humorous skit of one form or another recapping each of the topics. They ranged from ethics jeopardy to an especially hilarious skit about medical ethics and drug companies providing gifts to doctors in hopes they will overlook drug side effects such as "tracheal mere cat colonies" and "death."

All in all, it was a wonderful experience that undoubtedly was the highlight of UBRP outings for the summer. Not only did we get to know all of our peers better, but also the ethics retreat allowed each of us to know ourselves and understand our beliefs better.

Katherine Teter, UBRPer in Dr. Alan Nighorn's lab, ARL- Neurobiology