Bio540: Bioethics Assignments Fall 2001

Biology 540 Fall 2001

ETHICAL ISSUES IN BIOLOGY: CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Instructor: Dr. Elba E. Serrano

DATE	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS	*OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS*
Aug 22	SYLLABUS Perspectives on Science from Scientists and Philosophers :Access the following websites and select and print ONE article for in depth reading and inclusion in your journal. Rene Descartes (1637) Discourse on the method of rightly conducting the reason and seeking for truth in the sciences Link 2 Thomas Kuhn (1962) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Link 2 Karl Popper Philosophy and impact Link 2: Objective Knowledge Paul Feyerabend (1975) Against Method: Outline of an anarchistic theory of knowledge Link 2	Historical Interest Plato's Academy Library of Alexandria Origins of the University System Peter Abelard Philosophers The Value of Knowledge: a Miniature Library of Philosophy
Aug 29	Analytical Frameworks Read Ch 1-4 in Fundamentals of Ethics and prepare case studies 1.4, 2.0, 2.4, 3.4, 4.1 Research Integrity and Scientific Misconduct Read Ch 1 (Methods, Manners and Mandates) & 2 (Ethics and the Scientist) in Scientific Integrity Access, read and printout the following web sites for your journal: NMSU Policy on Scientific Misconduct (Researchers) NMSU Policy on Academic Misconduct (Students)	Analytical Frameworks Centre for Applied Ethics: Ethical and Moral Decision Making Research Integrity and Scientific Misconduct Richard Feynman(1963) The Uncertainty of Science (Binder in Bio office) David Goodstein (1994) Conduct and Misconduct in Science
Sept 5	Codes of conduct Bring the code of conduct for your professional society to class and include it in your journal Mentoring of Students Read Ch 3 (Mentoring) in Scientific Integrityand prepare case studies 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.8, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Read David Goodstein (1995) Scientific Elites and Scientific Illiterates Authorship and Peer Review Read Ch 4 (Authorship and Peer Review) in Scientific Integrityand prepare case studies 4.9, 4.11 Print the guidelines for authors from a major journal in your field and place this in your journal Conflicting Interests and Collaborative Research Read Ch 7 (Managing Conflicting Interests)and 8 (Collaborative Research) in Scientific Integrity and prepare case studies 7.7, 7.12, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.8, 8.9	Codes of conduct American Association of University Professors Ethics Online Codes of Ethics Online Link2 Codes of Ethics and Conduct Mentoring of Students Complete the Predoctoral Mentoring Survey in Scientific Integrity pp264-267 Authorship and Peer Review Society for Neuroscience guidelines for reponsible conduct regarding scientific communication
Sept 12	No class
Sept 19	Ownership of Data and Intellectual Property Read Ch 9 (Ownership of Data and Intellectual Property) in Scientific Integrity and prepare case studies (9.9) Access, read and printout the following web sites for your journal: NMSU policy on intellectual property Resolving Ethical Conflicts Read Ch 5, 8, 15, pp 138-139 in Fundamentals of Ethics and prepare case studies (5.4, 8.3, 8.4, pp242-243)	RESOURCES NIH Bioethics Resources on the Web Ethics in the Biological Sciences AAAS Science and Society NIH ELSI Pugwash Medical Ethics Tutorials
Sept 26	Environmental Ethics Prepare case studies in Bio Office folder. See journal entry instructions.	RESOURCES Articles in Bio 540 Notebook in Foster 234: Christopher Boerner and Thomas Lambert. 1995. Environmental injustice: industrial and waste facilities must consider the human factor. USA Today Magazine. Brown, James K.M. 1998. How to feed the world, in two contradictory lessons. Terms in Plant Science.3:11; 409-410 Palmer, Clare. 1997. "Environmental ethics: Contemporary ethical issues". Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Inc. Palmer, Clare. 1997. "Major Issues in Environmental Ethics". Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO) Ruth Rosen. 1994. Who gets polluted? The movement for environmental justice. The foundation for the study of independent social ideas, Inc. National Library for the Environment
Oct 3	Organisms in research Read Ch 5 (Use of Humans in Biological Experimentation) and 6 (Use of Animals in Biological Experimentation) in Scientific Integrityand prepare case studies (5.5, 5.6, 5.12, 6.3, 6.4, 6.9, 6.12) Debates of selected topics Stem Cell Research Human Cloning Biological weapons Check the following sources International perspectives Third World Network Pugwash Religious perspectives Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion Scientific perspectives NIH Bioethics Resources on the Web AAAS Science and Society Chemical and Biological Weapons Arms Control Program Center for Nonproliferation Studies BioTerrorism Preparedness and Response Does NM have a bioterrorism response profile posted on the public CDC server? New Mexico Department of Health Find NM Bioterrorism information See journal entry instructions.	RESOURCES Articles in Bio 540 Notebook in Foster 234 Agent orange to yellow rain: The specter of modern chemical and biological warfare. Biological warfare model 1967 Biological Weapons: A dark side of the new genetics Ethnic Weapons Walters, Lee. 1990. "Chemical weapons in the Iran/Iraq war". Military Review. October. Centers for Disease Control
Oct 10	Genetics Read Ch 10 (Genetic Technology and Scientific Integrity) in Scientific Integrity and prepare case studies (10.8, 10.12) Access and print these URLs Eugenics archive Tuskegee syphilis experiment Lynchburg enforced sterilizations Human radiation experiments Link 2 Print read and come prepared to discuss the 4 case studies from the NHGRI GenEthics Consortium Case Literature Read and come prepared to discuss the following articles in the Bio 540 Notebook in Foster 234 : Kevles, David. "Eugenic Enactments". In the name of Eugenics. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) Proctor, Robert. 1998. "The Destruction of Lives Not Worth Living". Racial Hygiene: Medicine Under the Nazis. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press). See journal entry instructions.	RESOURCES Articles in Bio 540 Notebook in Foster 234 Kevles, David J. 1985. " A New Eugenics". In the name of Eugonics. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) Proctor, Robert. 1998. "The Origins of Racial Hygiene". Racial Hygiene: Medicine Under the Nazis. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press). Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment Conducted at Stanford University
Oct 24	Hand in journal and case studies
Exam Week	Foster 110 3:30-5:30 pm Concluding remarks Non-western ethical perspectives Read and come prepared to discuss the following articles in the Bio 540 Notebook in Foster 234 :Dalai Lama. "Ethics in Society". Taoism, Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching Confucius Background Analects Native American Ethics Buddhism and medical ethics Iwa-Pele

Grading: A total of 200 pts may be earned during the course.

In class participation: (75 pts) Based on your contribution to class discussion, activities as session moderator or group leader and evidence of preparedness for class.

Journal assignment: (75 pts) Students will be required to maintain a mini-journal on a topic of their choice during the course. The objective of this assignment is for students to explore their own values and ethics in the context of scientific issues that are raised by media articles, TV programs, science classes, lab exercises, research experiences etc. For details of the journal, click here! DUE DATE: October 24

Case studies (50 points) Students will be required to write up and turn in an analysis of case studies assigned by the instructor from the textbooks. A cover essay will be part of this assignment. For details of the case studies click here! DUE DATE: October 24

Late assignments. 10% of the total points will be deducted for each week the assignment is late. Assignments will not be accepted if handed in more than 2 weeks after the due date.

Attendance: Debate and discussion are essential components of this class, therefore, students are expected to attend all classes.

25 points will be deducted from your overall points for each unexcused absence.

Grade Scale:

A 180-200 pts
B 160-179 pts
C 140-159 pts
D 120-139 pts
F < 120 pts
S (Satisfactory) requires a B-
Note: The grade scale may be curved at the end of the semester at the discretion of the instructor.

Important dates:

Oct 24 Journal and case studies due
Exam week Class will meet for one hour; time TBA

OTHER:

GUIDELINES FOR CLASS DISCUSSION: During the semester, many opinions will be voiced in the class. You may strongly disagree with some of these, or you may find them amusing. Outbursts can be misinterpreted or counterproductive to meaningful and thoughtful debate. Therefore, it is important that you exercise self-discipline and self-control, and treat all members of the class with the courtesy that you are entitled to receive in turn. The key words are: respect and courtesy. Thank you!
SYLLABUS MODIFICATION: The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester as considered necessary to enhance the quality of the instruction, to meet the needs of students in the class and to achieve course objectives. Any changes to the syllabus [or to the course schedule] will be announced in class and you are responsible for being aware of them.
DISABILITIES: If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Office for Services for Students with Disabilities, located at Garcia Annex (phone 646-6840). Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.
XEROX and/or BACKUP all assignments before submitting them to the instructor.
SAVE xeroxes of all graded assignments and exams from this course at least until you have received your final grade.