BIOL W3995y Section
002
Assisted Reproductive
Technologies: History and Ethics of Harvesting Human Eggs
1 credit
Time: Thursdays, 4:10 - 5:00 pm
Location: TBA
Instructor
Information:
Laura E. Bothwell
M.A., Union Theological Seminary, concentration in Science and Religion
Director of Programs
Center for the Study of Science and Religion at the Earth Institute
Columbia University
Coordinator, University Seminar on Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Science, Religion, and the State with Dr. Wendy Chavkin and Dr. Robert Pollack
749 Mudd, Mail Code 2419
New York, NY 10027
(fax) 212 865 8246
(mobile) 646 351 3623
E-mail lb2242@columbia.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 10-11 a.m., Thursdays 11-12 a.m. Students are welcome to schedule appointments for additional meeting times.
No Prerequisites
Course Description: What are the historical and contemporary scientific, social, and religious dimensions surrounding the harvesting of human eggs for donation to infertile couples? This course is designed to address technical, sociological, and ethical questions that arise in the context of the current marketing for ova donors on college campuses. Throughout the semester, readings will be both global and local, including: the development of reproductive and harvesting technologies and associated risks; medical ethics; religious beliefs and ethics; legal matters; eugenic concerns; ova as commodity; and case studies of ova donors and recipients. Students of any major are invited to enroll in this course. All readings will be made available on Courseworks. Given that this is a 1-credit class, readings will be concise, consisting of short articles and selections of a background text.
Course Requirements: Students are expected to 1) complete readings and post a question or comment on the Courseworks discussion board by 9 a.m. on the day of class; 2) complete an individual or collaborative research project on a topic of interest to the student(s), and present the findings of this research to the class. Individual papers should be 7-10 pages; group project requirements are to be negotiated with instructor. All projects should include a bibliography. Original, investigative research is encouraged; therefore, projects may include interviews, surveys, tables or graphs, or multimedia materials. Students are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss research topics with the instructor.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on an individual basis according to the following criteria:
45% participation/class preparedness, (including Courseworks posting and attendance)
45% research project
10% presentation of research project
Proposed Syllabus topics:
1 The history of global and US fertility trends—extended fertility, infertility, and the rise of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
2 The basics of past and present methods and technologies of ova harvesting for reproduction assistance and for stem cell research—guest presenter
3 Procedural risks related to synthetic hormones for hyper-ovulation and egg removal surgery —what is known and what is unknown?
4 Medical ethics
5 Religious ethics and responses
6 National and international legal regulations
7 Eugenic marketing and trends in egg sales; college campus advertising and research, college campus policies
8 Reproductive tourism and eggs on the black market
9 Case studies: egg donors / Research project presentations
10 Case studies: egg donors / Research project presentations
11 Research project presentations