This seminar addresses advances in biotechnology, their implications for healthcare and agriculture, and the ethical, legal and policy issues involved. In the healthcare sector, cloning, stem cell research, genetic testing, gene therapy, biotech drugs and implants are discussed with regard to societal concerns, medical and research ethics, privacy and discrimination law, liability doctrines, health insurance coverage, NIH policies and FDA regulation. In the agriculture sector, genetically modified crops, foods, and pesticidal microorganisms are similarly discussed with regard to environmental and consumer protection policies, public perception and market forces, liability doctrines, EPA and FDA regulation, corporate decision-making, international treaties on trade and biodiversity protection. For both sectors, intellectual property law and ownership issues are also addressed. Term paper on topic approved by instructor. Paper may be used to satisfy Upper-class Writing Requirement.
A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
