Current Topics in Bioethics

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this course, we will look closely at three different topics currently in the headlines: abortion, biotechnology such as CRISPR/genetic engineering, and medical research. In each case, we will look at theoretical puzzles raised (for instance, what grounds moral status? how should we conceive of transhumanism?), the applied level (for instance, should we allow conscientious refusal to provide abortion for disabilities? should we allow international medical research to be outsourced to populations that will not be able to afford access to the drug under investigation?), and the "translational" level, where ethicists are working with policy makers to develop responsible pathways. This is an upper/under course. Undergraduates will be required to write three 3-4 page papers, one on each unit. Graduate students will have a choice of writing three 5-6 page papers, one on each unit, or writing a traditional 15-20 page seminar paper.