CHB2100 - Ethics, ownership, and the genetic marketplace

Leader: Linda Barclay

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines some key ethical and policy issues raised by developments in biotechnology, as a significant component of the global trade in knowledge and services, such as gene patenting and the commercialisation of human tissue and body parts. The unit begins by focusing on different ethical perspectives in bioethics. Following this there will be discussion of topics such as: the ethics of DNA patenting, the selling of human tissue and organs, commodification and objectification, the social responsibilities of scientists, and the nature and significance of genetic parenthood.

Objectives

On successfully completing this unit, students will have:

1. familiarity with major ethical perspectives used to evaluate the justifiability of gene patenting and the commercialisation of human tissue and body parts;
2. skills enabling them to critically analyse key ethical and policy issues raised by these and related practices;
3. the ability to make informed judgements about those ethical and policy issues.

Assessment

Exercise (500 words) : 10%
Essay (2000 words) : 40%
Exam (2 hours) : 50%

Contact hours

1 two-hour seminar per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence including at least one of: CHB1010, CHB1020, PHL1010