Biotechnology and Ethics
Claire Komives, Instructor
Monday and Wednesday 9:00 - 10:15 am Clark Rm. 129
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Engineering 109
The good student strives not for easy answers, but for
genuine understanding, persevering in the face of obstacles. The good student wishes not just to
"get it done," but to "get it right"; not simply to
"get ahead," but to "get the most out of it."
The Portsmouth Declaration, Link Institute
Text
Biotechnology: Demystifying the Concepts; David Bourgaize, Thomas R. Jewell, and Rodolpho G. Buiser, Benjamin Cummings (ISBN: 0-8053-4602-3), 2000. (this text will not be needed until the third week of the course). Additional readings will be made available to students during the term.
Web Supplements
Homework Assignments and Solutions
Course Objectives
Students should acquire an understanding of the science behind a selection of modern biotechnologies, in addition to gaining an appreciation for the ethical evaluation of these technologies. Students will first explore various systems of ethics that have been historically used to guide decision-making relevant to many human enterprises. The science behind current biotechnologies will be studied, including agricultural biotechnology (genetically modified organisms/foods), cloning, stem cell research, and others. The technologies then will be discussed in light of the ethical systems. The material studied in this course should enable students to continue to evaluate future developments in biotechnology that affect medical, political, and personal values.
Course Content
| CLASS DATE | SUBJECT/TOPIC | READING ASSIGNMENT (Chapter No.) | HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT |
| W Aug 23 | Introduction; Why ethics in biotechnology? | ||
| M Aug 28 | Introduction to ethics I | ||
| W Aug 30 | Socrates | ||
| M Sept 4 | Labor Day: no class | ||
| W Sep 6 | Library Workshop | HW1: ethics | |
| M Sep 11 | Plato/Aristotle I | Students should have completed the plagiarism module prior to class | |
| W Sep 13 | Aristotle II - matter, form, act, potency | ||
| M Sep 18 | Aristotle III - change, laws of nature vs moral laws; how do we know things | ||
| W Sep 20 | Ethics I - Aristotle's principles: means and ends; social goods | ||
| M Sep 25 | Ethics II - ethical reasoning; justice; social justice; utilitarianism | ||
| W Sep 27 | Molecules and Cells | Chapter 1 (p.1-11; 19-20); Chapter 2 (30-45) | |
| M Oct 2 | Cell Division | Chapter 3 | |
| W Oct 4 | Mutations and Genetic Disease | Chapter 5 | HW2: ethics |
| M Oct 9 | Complexities of Genetics | Chapter 6 | |
| W Oct 11 | Biological Control | Chapter 7 | HW3: (reading includes "The Truth about Margaret Sanger" Citizen Magazine, Jan. 1992) |
| M Oct 16 | Genetic Engineering | Chapter 8 | |
| W Oct 18 | Business and Politics of Biotechnology | Chapter 15; "Cynicism and Politics Dominate UN Biotechnology Deliberations" Nature, June 1999 (Commentary); and "Politics, Misinformation and Biotechnology" Science, Feb. 2000. (Commentary) | |
| M Oct 23 | Beginnings of human life I | Reading: "Your Destiny from Day One" Nature, July 4, 2002. | HW4: biotechnology |
| W Oct 25 | In-vitro fertilization | Reading: "The Science of ART", Science, June 21, 2002; and "Pandora's Baby", Scientific American, June 2003. | |
| M Oct 30 | Embryonic stem cell technology | Reading: "Ethical and Social Implications of Stem Cell Research" Nature, Nov. 2001 (insight commentary); "The Other Stem Cells" Boston Globe, June 20, 2005. | Paper I. due: choice of topic |
| W Nov 1 | Agricultural Applications I | Reading: "Hazards of the World's Most Common Herbicide" Mother Earth News, Oct. 2005. "Weed Killer Deadly to Frogs", Current Science, 9/2005.; "Moratorium on GM food would perpetuate world hunger" British Medical Journal, June 1999. | |
| M Nov 6 | Population Control and US Policy | HW 5: biotechnology | |
| W Nov 8 | Biotechnology and lifespan: life-saving therapies | ||
| M Nov 13 | Debates planned and parliamentary debate format introduced to class | ||
| W Nov 15 | Physico/chemical effects of ethical decisions | ||
| M Nov 20 | Discussion: Bioethics and public policy | ||
| W Nov 22 | Review of biotechnology/review of ethics | Paper II due: Choice of topics | |
| M Nov 27 | Debate I | ||
| W Nov 29 | Debate II | HW 6: Analysis and Presentation of reviews on geriatric therapies | |
| M Dec 4 | Debate III | ||
| W Dec 6 | Debate IV | ||
| Tuesday Dec. 12, 715-930 am | Final Exam - Comprehensive |