CHB2100 - Bioethics, the human body and the international marketplace

Leader(s): Linda Barclay

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

In this unit we discuss the ethical issues that arise with the commercialisation of the human body, in particular focusing on concepts of exploitation, commodification and coercion. Our central question is whether we have reasons to try and prohibit the commercialisation of the body or whether a regulated market in human body parts can promote ethically defensible outcomes. Specifically, we discuss gene patents, payments to research participants, research conducted in developing countries, organ and tissue sales, the selling of gametes and the implications for parenthood.

Objectives

On successfully completing this unit, students will have:

1. familiarity with the major ethical concepts and arguments used in discussions of the commercialisation of the human body
2. skills enabling them to critically analyse key ethical and policy issues related to these growing practices
3. the ability to make informed judgements about those ethical and policy issues.

Assessment

Written work: 80% (3500 words)
Test: 20%

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week

Prerequisites

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

Prohibitions

CHB3100

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/bioethics/ugrad/chb2100.php