Ethics (online)
| Course Code | BI-322 |
|---|---|
| Lecture hours per week | 2 |
| Lab hours per week | |
| Course Availability | Open |
| Description | This on-line Ethics course gives a sophisticated analysis of the historical, philosophical, scientific, social and legal aspects of bioethics. This course will explore fundamental moral issues that arise in biotechnology and related fields. Some topics we cover are as old as life itself, like humanity, morals, duty, values and responsibility. Some are new, brought on by a dizzying pace of technology that can unsettle our core ideas about human nature and our place in the world. Recent advances in Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences have raised a host of ethical concerns involving the sanctity and quality of life, fairness, equality, and autonomy. What should we think of the coming genetic revolution? Should we leave populations to starve to death or should we produce GMO foods to support them? Should we clone humans? Can we have designer babies? What do we think of genetic screening, gene therapy or organ donation? Biotechnology and its novel applications now have an enormous impact on society in shaping our understanding of life, death, sickness, health, and environmental sustainability. These new and revolutionary developments call for legislative reform and policies designed to keep research and its applications within appropriate boundaries. |