Columbia University - Department of Biological Sciences
W3995 Topics in Biology: Crossroads in
Bioethics - Spring 2008
| Wednesday 1:10-2:00 |
Shapiro 415 |
Instructor: Dr. John D. Loike |
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January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
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23 |
30 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 27 | 5 |
12 | 26 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30 | 4 |
7 |
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January 23 |
1.Introductory Lecture: Global issues in Bioethics |
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January 30 |
2. Emerging Trends in
Bioethics Selected Readings: Chapter three Assignment: Predict what will be the next debate in bioethics.
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February 6 |
3. Embryonic Stem Cell Research-Part I Selected Readings: Chapter four Assignment:
Provide two examples how will stem cell research impact on reproductive
medicine.
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February 13 |
4.Embryonic Stem Cell Research-Part II
-Legal and ethical issues
Assignment: Propose a creative religious/ethical solution to the Pope so that he will accept human embryonic stem cell research
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February 20 |
5. The Science of Cloning-Part I |
| March 5 |
6. Bioethics of Cloning-Part II Student panel discussion on the ethics of cloning |
| March 12 |
MIDTERM PAPER IS DUE
(including cartoon) 8. Designer babies and sex selection |
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March 26 |
9. Neuroethics-Part
I
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| April 2 |
10. Neuroethics-Part I |
| April 9 |
11.Chimeras |
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April 16 |
12. Commercialization of egg donation
Dr. Ruth Fischbach |
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April 23 |
13. New technologies in reproductive medicine and menses Professor Laura Bothwell
Outline of final paper
due. |
| April 30 |
14. Medical tourism
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| May 4 SUNDAY |
Class Picnic at my house-12:00 lunch-Bring your musical instruments or
your voices Directions will be e mailed |
| May 7 |
Final Paper Due
e-mail IT IN WORD FORMAT (CARTOON OPTIONAL) |
Course description. In this seminar, participants will examine, in a creative fashion, how emerging biotechnologies (such as human cloning, transgenic technologies, new reproductive technologies, genomics, and proteomics) impact bioethics. Participants will analyze the interactions between scientific advances, and cross-cultural ethics. The goals are to enhance creative thinking in students and to provide students with a comprehensive platform in resolving bioethical issues. Students will also be asked to volunteer as editors for the Columbia University Journal of Bioethics.
Assignments. Weekly reading assignments involve about one hour of work. Written assignments should be submitted by e mail by Tuesday 10:00 pm and should be less than one page. These assignments are tabulated in computing your final grade and with class participation accounts for 30% of your grade. The midterm and final accounts for 35% each.
Midterm Assignment : Each student will partner with another to write an Op Ed piece of about 1000 words in the appropriate format for submission to the New York Times or other publicly read newspapers or scientific journals (including Science, Nature or The Scientist). The content should reflect an original opinion or thought on bioethics and include a appropriate cartoon. The cartoon may be original or obtained legally from the WEB. Indicate which journal or newspaper you wish to submit your Op Ed piece. For examples see past issues of the Columbia University Journal of Bioethics.
Final Paper
Assignment: Each student will partner with another to write a
creative 3-5 page paper
analyzing the bioethical ramifications of a recent scientific paper
published in the last six months. The paper should summarize the new
technology, identify the bioethical issues emerging from the technologies and present a novel approach
to resolve the bioethical issues raised.
Each week any member of the class can join me in a brown bag lunch (at 12:30) to discuss any scientific topic.
| Dr. John D. Loike: jdl5@columbia.edu |
Department of Biological Sciences - Undergraduate Program | Columbia University |