Research reported here involves, is clear that
teaching controversial social issues in science contexts
raises difficult problems for preservice science teacher
in managing discussion of socio-scientific issues.
Several themes are analyzed of the lesson transcripts
involving classroom exchange and teacher interviews.
These are ‘control of discussion’, ‘teacher-student
difference in belief systems’ and ‘distinction in
classroom discourse between science and ethics’.
Ethical aspects would appear to have an effect on the
teacher’s authority. Finding provides a broader
description of the cognitive and affective domains that a
teacher has to contend with in a discussion of ethical
issues in a science context and implications for the
professional development of science teachers.