CHB3100 - Bioethics, the human body and the international marketplace
6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate Faculty of Arts
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:
- familiarity with the major ethical concepts and arguments used in discussions of the commercialisation of the human body
- skills enabling them to critically analyse key ethical and policy issues related to these growing practices
- 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%
Students completing the unit at third-year level will be required to demonstrate independent research ability. To meet this requirement students must be able to exploit relevant resources which have not been mentioned in the subject handbook and lectures in completing their assignments, in particular the major essay.
Contact hours
One 2-hour seminar per week
Prerequisites
A first-year sequence including at least one of: CHB1010, CHB1020, PHL1010