Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The human body and its parts are increasingly being bought and sold internationally by pharmaceutical companies, researchers, kidney and surrogate brokers and by individuals directly. In this unit we discuss the ethical issues that arise with the international commercialisation of the human body, focusing on the concepts of coercion and exploitation. Should such markets be prohibited altogether, or simply reformed and regulated to reduce exploitation and harm? Specifically, we discuss gene patents and access to medicines in the developing world, research conducted on poor people in developing countries, international markets in organs; surrogacy and embryo trading.

Objectives

On successfully completing this unit, students will have:

1. Familiarity with the range and nature of international markets in the human body
2. Familiarity with the major ethical concepts and arguments used in discussing markets in, and commercialisation of, the human body
3. Skills enabling them to critically analyse key ethical and policy issues related to these practices
4. The ability to make informed judgements about these ethical and policy issues.

Assessment

Written work: 80%
Class test: 20%
In addition, 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.

Chief examiner(s)

Linda Barclay

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture per week + One 1-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Human rights theory
Philosophy
International studies
Bioethics

Prerequisites

Either a first-year International Studies sequence, or a first-year Bioethics sequence.