Clapham School Seniors Phoebe Johnsen, Jack Sanders, and Anna Schuessler will defend their thesis projects on Wednesday, May 20 from 12:15-2:35pm. Below are interviews with each Senior about their thesis topic, writing process, and plans for after graduation.
Phoebe Johnsen
What are you arguing in your Senior Thesis?
In my thesis, I am arguing against the advancement of germline genome editing and for the benefits of somatic editing.
What inspired you to write about this topic?
I had been interested in bioethics, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, after reading an article during the summer. When it came time to pick a topic for Senior Thesis, it seemed like an opportunity to further look into this branch of bioethics.
What has surprised or challenged you in your research and writing process? What have you learned?
My biggest challenge in writing my thesis was finding a fresh perspective on the problem. Rather than becoming a purely scientific paper, as I initially expected, it evolved into an exploration of biblical morality as reflected in history and bioethics.
What are some of the objections you have encountered? How have you worked to respond to those counterarguments winsomely?
One objection to my position is the slippery slope concern that allowing somatic gene editing through CRISPR-Cas9 will eventually lead to genetic enhancement. In response, I argue that this outcome is not inevitable, as clear ethical boundaries grounded in biblical ethics can restrict gene editing to therapeutic purposes and prevent it from extending into morally problematic uses.
What do you hope people will take away from your thesis?
This thesis aims to raise awareness about the ethical boundaries of gene editing and to encourage reflection on how technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 should be used responsibly in our society.
What are your plans for next year?
Next year, I plan to attend Wheaton College as a freshman, where I hope to continue exploring ethics and faith.
Jack Sanders
What are you arguing in your Senior Thesis?
I am arguing that marriage must be kept sacred because it has been corrupted by society and that romantic love is a gift from God meant to flourish in marriage.
What inspired you to write about this topic?
I found the topic interesting and applicable. Though not all aspects of it are relevant to me today, it still holds value to understand and apply. And I love to dig into the biblical truths that make a difference in daily life.
What has surprised or challenged you in your research and writing process? What have you learned?
I have been challenged to think deeply because of nuances and the many biblical positions. I have learned that a good marriage must be fully founded on God, and that God has given gifts such as romantic love to make marriage pleasurable while it glorifies God.
What are some of the objections you have encountered? How have you worked to respond to those counterarguments winsomely?
Two of the objections that I have wrestled with both in my thoughts and in my essay include: young marriage is unwise, and divorce is acceptable when the going gets tough. To answer these questions, I have tried to pair Scripture with reason.
What do you hope people will take away from your thesis?
That marriage is not something that God created and we can do with what we like, but that we must treat it as he designed and that He allows pleasure within His guidance.
What are your plans for next year?
I plan to attend and run for Wheaton College in the fall if the Lord provides the finances!
Anna Schuessler
What are you arguing in your Senior Thesis?
I am arguing that desensitization to violence is a problem in today’s society, and it is being amplified by lessening emotional impact, glorifying violent acts, and dehumanizing others.
What inspired you to write about this topic?
I was inspired to write this essay because I saw the violence in the world around us and wanted to know why society was so accepting of these awful atrocities. I wanted to have a deeper understanding of why we weren’t affected by harm and when that switch happened.
What has surprised or challenged you in your research and writing process? What have you learned?
I wasn’t expecting it to be as difficult a process as it ended up being for me, but with that, I had little to no stress most of the writing process, which I am incredibly thankful for. For me, the hardest part was revisions. I tend to be a one-and-done type of person, but this project taught me patience and resilience in my revising process.
What are some objections you have encountered? How have you worked to respond to those counterarguments winsomely?
The main objection I have heard, since my topic is generally noncontroversial in a conventional way, is that we are too far for help, and that there is no resensitizing us. After talking to Dr. Keith McCurdy, I realized that we as a society just need to reconnect in real ways with each other. We need to recognize each human as special and unique and carry that into how we treat those around us.
What do you hope people will take away from your thesis?
I hope people will take away an awareness of what media they consume and how they view others.
What are your plans for next year?
I will be attending, God willing, Elgin Community College to get my associate’s degree in nursing, then finishing out my bachelor’s at a four-year university, while on the CRNA track.
If you would like to learn more about Clapham School’s Senior Thesis take a few minutes to read our recent post, “The Senior Thesis: What is it and Why Does it Matter?”