The ethics involved in organ donations was the hot topic that was debated by secondary school students at the All-Ireland finals of the 2015 Debating Science Issues (DSI) competition. The competition was won by St Vincent's Secondary School from Dundalk, who were flying the flag for Leinster.

St Vincent's edged out Clonakilty Community College who are the current Munster debating champions. The finals were hosted by RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) at the College on St Stephen's Green.

The four competing schools, all winners of their respective provincial competitions, who took part in the finals were Clonakilty Community College, representing Munster and Cork; Ballinrobe Community College, Mayo, who won the Connaught finals; Our Lady and St Patrick's College, Belfast who will represent Ulster; and St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

DSI is a dynamic debating competition inviting young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. Open to students in the senior cycle of secondary school, the competition provides a great opportunity for students to expand their communication and scientific skills.

The four school teams competed in two semi-final rounds of debate at RCSI, where they debated the moral obligations of research using embryonic stem cells to develop new medical treatments. St Vincent's were successful versus Our Lady and St Patrick's College while Clonakilty beat Ballinrobe Community College.

Speaking on the competition, judge on the day Mr Lars Nolke (also Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Mater and Crumlin hospitals, Dublin and Consultant Trainer, RCSI) said, "Organ donation really is a contentious healthcare issue in Ireland at the moment with the Minister for Health proposing legislation to allow people to opt out of organ donation rather than opt in. Therefore it was fantastic to hear the opinions our young people have on such issues. It is important that second level students are exposed to such topical issues, such as stem cell research and organ donations, if they are to consider pursuing careers in science and healthcare.”

Maria Kelly, REACH RCSI Programme Manager and Debating Science Issues finals co-ordinator, said: “This unique All-Ireland project provides a great opportunity for second-level students to be exposed to some of the latest developments in biomedical research and also to consider the ethical elements which can be a great hook in developing interest in science among young people.”

Dr Maria Morgan, Senior Lecturer and Academic Director of the REACH Programme also commented: “RCSI was delighted to host the DSI competition again which focuses on making biomedical science accessible and relevant to young people, challenging them with contemporary real-life issues, beyond their school curriculums, and helping to develop life skills in research and communication.”

The 2015 DSI All-Ireland Finals is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme project award, which was secured through the REACH (Recreation Education and Community Health) RCSI programme.

There are nine partners of the Debating Science Issues initiative, who are RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland); REDDSTAR (an EU project coordinated at NUI Galway); the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre at UCC; Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) at DCU; AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research); W5 in Belfast, INSIGHT at UCD; Cork Institute of Technology; and the University of Ulster.