136-222 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences

Note

Students cannot gain credit for both this unit and 136-332.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

12.5 points of first-year HPS, or 75 points of first year Science subjects. Students seeking credit for this subject as a "Science" subject for the purposes of the BSc degree must previously have completed Biology 141 and 142.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

In this subject students will critically examine a range of historical, social, ethical, feminist and policy issues arising from genetic engineering and new reproductive technologies. Analytical tools drawn from the sociology of science will be used to analyse these issues through an examination of case studies on genetically engineered plants and animals, the production of pharmaceuticals using genetic engineering, the human genome project, genetic screening, in vitro fertilisation and gene therapy. Having completed the course students should have developed their ability to analyse and make decisions about the issues that arise from these controversial new technologies.

Assessment

The best ten of twelve tutorial exercises (250 words each), a class test to be held during final lecture period (1000 words), an essay (2000 words Arts students only).

Prescribed Texts

Printed course materials will be available for purchase from the Bookroom.