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Bioethics and Biotechnology - PHL260
This unit introduces students to a selection of the most pressing ethical questions and concerns raised by current developments in biotechnology, especially in the sphere of genetic technology. The first section of the unit provides an introduction to ethical reasoning, to issues of social justice and to the relationship between social values, scientific enquiry and research ethics in the context of biotechnology. The second section focuses on the ethics of gene technology in the spheres of human medicine and reproduction, including: genetic screening/testing; gene therapies (somatic and germ cell therapies); genetic enhancement; and human reproductive cloning. In the third section we explore the impact of biotechnologies on other aspects of human, non-human animal and environmental welfare including: genetic engineering of plants and animals (GMOs); nutrigenomics and biofortified foods; bio-prospecting and commercial exploitation of human genetic material.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| When Offered: | S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day S2 External - Session 2, External (On-campus dates: None) |
| Staff Contact(s): | Dr Mianna Lotz |
| Prerequisites: |
12cp or admission to GDipArts |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | CBMS807, ELS860, PHIL260 |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Unit Type: | Planet unit |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Philosophy Faculty of Arts |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information and session dates for external offerings please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.