Students

MOLS8002 – Bioethics and Biotechnology

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr Mianna Lotz
Mianna.Lotz@mq.edu.au
Contact via Mianna.Lotz@mq.edu.au
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipBiotech or GradCertLabAQMgt or GradDipLabAQMgt or MBiotech or MBioBus or MLabAQMgt or MRadiopharmSc or MSc or MScInnovationChemBiomolecularSc or MPH or HSYP801 or HSYP8100 or HSYP802 or HSYP8101
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MOLS8002 is co-located with PHIL2060.
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to ethical issues raised by current developments in biotechnology, especially in the sphere of genetic technology. Topics include the ethics of genetic technology in human medicine and reproduction, including genetic screening/testing; genetic therapies (somatic and germ-cell); genetic enhancement; and cloning; and the impact of biotechnology on other aspects of human, animal and environmental well-being. Students develop a firm grounding in the ethical principles, theories and frameworks with which to analyse a variety of biotechnological applications, in addition to the requirements of scientific and academic conduct and the carrying out of responsible research.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • ULO2: Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • ULO3: Analyse and critically evaluate relevant case studies and scientific contexts, as well as theories and arguments in the relevant literatures.
  • ULO4: Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • ULO5: Construct clear and rigorous arguments in support of your own ethical positions and values.
  • ULO6: Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

General Assessment Information

NOTE: It is expected that students will complete ALL ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS in this unit. You do not need to have passed each assessment to pass the unit, but it is expected that all assessments are attempted.

General Submission Procedure: Essays and presentations (if applicable) must be submitted via TurnItIn at the correct link provided on the Unit iLearn site. Please note that there will be separate links for MOLS8002 and PHIL2060 students. Please ensure that you use the correct link for your assessment!

Extensions: Extensions must be sought via the MQ Special Consideration application procedure, in advance of the due date. Extensions will only be granted for medical or equivalent reasons, supported by documentation (medical certificate or equivalent). Please note that workload in other units, and employment outside of university, will not be accepted as grounds for an extension.

LATE SUBMISSION POLICY: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, the following will apply:

(a) Late penalty – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date;

(b) No assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. (c) No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – i.e. online test and examination.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Intro and film reflection 5% No End of Week 2
Online timed test. 20% No Week 5 (Precise timing and format to be advised)
Essay 25% No 18 Sept OR 6 Nov
Essay Self-assessment 10% No 18 Sept OR 6 November
Online timed examination 25% No University Examinations Period
Active Participation and Engagement 15% No Continuous

Online Intro and film reflection

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2.0 hours
Due: End of Week 2
Weighting: 5%

 

Students introduce themselves online and post a brief reflection on the film shown in Lecture 1.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate relevant case studies and scientific contexts, as well as theories and arguments in the relevant literatures.
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

Online timed test.

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 5 (Precise timing and format to be advised)
Weighting: 20%

 

Students complete a 1hr timed online test at within a 24 hr period, early in Semester.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate relevant case studies and scientific contexts, as well as theories and arguments in the relevant literatures.
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 18 Sept OR 6 Nov
Weighting: 25%

 

Students produce a piece of argumentative writing in response to assigned essay questions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate relevant case studies and scientific contexts, as well as theories and arguments in the relevant literatures.
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Construct clear and rigorous arguments in support of your own ethical positions and values.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

Essay Self-assessment

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5.0 hours
Due: 18 Sept OR 6 November
Weighting: 10%

 

Students complete a self-assessment of their essay, using the essay rubric and criteria and qualitative assessment of the essay strengths, weaknesses and challenges.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

Online timed examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: University Examinations Period
Weighting: 25%

 

Students complete an online timed exam (1.5 hours) during University Examination period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Construct clear and rigorous arguments in support of your own ethical positions and values.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

Active Participation and Engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Continuous
Weighting: 15%

 

Students participate actively in 80% of zoom tutorials or online Discussion Boards (by arrangement with convenor), demonstrating that they have read the required readings and making active and constructive contributions to discussions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the major ethical issues posed by specific biotechnological advances.
  • Explain the central ethical concepts, principles and theories that arise in debates concerning the applications of biotechnological developments.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate relevant case studies and scientific contexts, as well as theories and arguments in the relevant literatures.
  • Apply the skills and concepts involved in ethical reasoning and argumentation to past, current and future controversies in biotechnological and other sciences.
  • Construct clear and rigorous arguments in support of your own ethical positions and values.
  • Apply enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Due to COVID-19  restrictions there will be a 2-part or 3-part recorded lecture each week and one 1-hour tutorial (zoom or face-to-face for Internals) or discussion board Forum (for Externals) per week.

Students are expected to complete 3.5 hours of unit reading and private study per week in this unit, additional to lecture listening and tutorial participation and any essay/test/exam preparation time.

REQUIRED READING: All required reading in this unit can be accessed via the PHIL2060/MOLS8002 Bioethics and Biotechnology Leganto link on the unit iLearn site.

The readings are compulsory reading for this unit. You will be expected to keep up with the readings throughout semester, and tutorial/online discussion as well as the test and examination will all presume prior familiarity with the relevant readings.

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of Additional Readings, for use for your essays, exam study and as supplementary reading throughout the semester, is available via Leganto at the MQ Uni Library (see instructions and link on the unit iLearn).

Unit Schedule

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND REQUIRED READINGS

Note: The following are REQUIRED readings for this unit. Unless otherwise specified, all readings listed below are in Leganto Where more than one reading is listed priority is to be given to reading(s) marked ‘*’. Additional or alternative readings may be required and will be notified via iLearn.

 

SECTION I: (WEEKS 1–5) FRAMEWORKS FOR ETHICAL REASONING

 

TOPIC 1 WEEK 1 (beginning July 27):  Introduction/overview of course. Introducing the process and principles of ethical reasoning.  

Reading:

*Stephen Cohen: ‘What is Ethics?

*James Rachels: ‘What is Morality?’

NOTE: NO TUTORIALS in Week 1

 

TOPIC 2 WEEK 2 (beginning Aug 3):  Overview of key moral theories and their applications to issues in biotechnology.  

Reading:

* Damian Grace and Stephen Cohen: Excerpt from Business Ethics: Problems and Cases.

* Anne Thomson: ‘Moral Principles and Moral Theories’.

NOTE: Online Discussion Exercise due: by 11.59pm Fri 7th August.

 

TOPIC 3 WEEK 3 (beginning Aug 10): The role of ethics and social values in science 

Reading:

* E. Emanuel et al: ‘What Makes Clinical Research Ethical?’ Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Vol. 283, No. 2 (May24/31: 2701-2711.

* Glass: ‘The Ethical Basis of Science.’

 

 

TOPIC 4 WEEK 4 (beginning Aug 17): The moral legacy of eugenics and key principles of justice in biotechnology.  

Reading:

* Buchanan et al: Excerpt from ‘Eugenics and Its Shadow’

* Wikler and Barondess: ‘Bioethics and Anti-Bioethics in Light of Nazi Medicine: What Must We Remember?’

Buchanan et al: Excerpt from ‘Genes, Justice and Human Nature.’

 

WEEK 5 (beginning Aug 24): TIMED ONLINE TEST: Must be completed within 24 hours from the date/time notified on iLearn and in lectures.

NOTE: NO LECTURE OR TUTORIALS this week

 

SECTION II (WEEKS 6–10): GENETIC TECHNOLOGY IN THE SPHERE OF HUMAN HEALTH AND REPRODUCTION

 

TOPIC 5 WEEK 6 (beginning Aug 31): Guest Lecturer: Dr Katrina Hutchison – Ethical issues posed by genetic screening, testing and diagnosis

Reading:

* Clarke: ‘Genetic Screening and Counselling.’

* Steinbock: ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Embryo Selection.’

 

TOPIC 6 WEEK 7 (beginning Sept 7): Stem cell research and the moral status of human embryonic stem cells.

Reading:

* Harris: ‘Stem Cells, Sex and Procreation’

 

MONDAY 14 SEPT – FRIDAY 25 SEPT (inclusive): MID SEMESTER BREAK

 

 * ESSAY OPTION 1 DEADLINE: 11.59pm Friday 18 September

 

TOPIC 7 WEEK 8 (beginning Sept 28): Would it be morally permissible to clone human beings for procreative purposes?

Reading:

* Brock: ‘Cloning Human Beings: An Assessment of the Ethical Issues Pro and Con.’

Holm: ‘A Life in the Shadow: One Reason Why We Should Not Clone Human Beings.’

Kass: ‘The Wisdom of Repugnance.’

 

TOPIC 8 WEEK 9 (beginning Oct 5): The ethics of somatic and germline genetic therapy

Reading:

* Chadwick: ‘Gene Therapy.’

* Smolensky: 'CRISPR/Cas9 and Germline Modification: New Difficulties in Obtaining Informed Consent'  [available on the unit iLearn under 'Week 8' and via Leganto]

Elias and Annas: ‘Somatic and Germline Gene Therapy.’

Warren: ‘The Moral Status of the Gene.’

 

TOPIC 9 WEEK 10 (beginning Oct 12):  Guest lecture: Professor Wendy Rogers – The moral acceptability of genetic enhancement and the therapy/enhancement distinction

Reading:

* Peter Singer: ‘Parental Choice and Human Improvement’.

* Ruud Ter Meulen et al: ‘Ethical Issues of Enhancement Technologies’.

David Resnik and Daniel B. Vorhaus: ‘Genetic Modification and Genetic Determinism’.

 

SECTION III (WEEKS 11-12): THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

 

TOPIC 10 WEEK 11 (beginning Oct 19):  Ethical issues posed by commercialisation of human genetic material

Reading:

* Chadwick and Hedgecoe: ‘Commercial Exploitation of the Human Genome’

Munzer: ‘Property, Patents and Genetic Material'

 

TOPIC 11 WEEK 12 (Oct 26):  Ethical and environmental issues in food biotechnology.

Reading:

*Thompson: ‘Ethical Issues in Food Biotechnology’

*Scott: 'The Technological Fix Criticisms and the Agricultural Biotechnology Debate' [available on the unit iLearn under 'Week 12' and via Leganto]

NB: The papers by Altieri & Rosset and McGloughlin in the Unit Reader are optional only.

 

 * ESSAY OPTION 2 DEADLINE: 11.59pm Friday 6 November

 

                                            SEMESTER ENDS – EXAMINATIONS BEGIN

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Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

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Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

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