Students
MOLS8002 – Bioethics and Biotechnology
2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, Lecturer, teaching staff
A/Professor Mianna Lotz
By appointment
Lecturer, teaching staff
Professor Wendy Lipworth
By appointment
Teaching staff
Mr Grant Castelyn
By appointment
Online teaching staff
Anson Fehross
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
|
| 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; human embryo research; 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
Detailed assessment information and rubrics
Detailed information about each of the assessments, including rubrics and submission instructions will be available in the Assessment block in iLearn. Please make sure you read the assessment information carefully. Assessment forums for each assessment will be available on the unit iLearn – if you have an assessment question please check the assessment information and the relevant assessment forum to see if your question has already been answered. If not, please post your question on the assessment forum where it will be answered within 1-2 days (weekdays). Please do not email teaching staff unless you have tried all the above sources and cannot find an answer to your question.
Essay Option One or Essay Option Two – What does this mean?
In this unit students must choose ONE of two possible dates to submit their essay. You do not need to advise the teaching team or the unit convenor: you simply choose whether to submit half way through the unit, or at the end of the unit. Essay questions for the first essay option will relate to the first half of the unit; essay questions for the second essay option will relate only to the second half of the unit. Students may only submit ONE essay; no re-tries are permitted. Essay questions will be released four weeks prior to each due date. Please NOTE the following when selecting your essay submission date:
- Students selecting Essay Option Two will NOT have received their essay mark or feedback prior to the final examination in this unit.
- Students are not at a disadvantage if they submit their essay for Essay Option One, in spite of having completed only half the unit at that time. Essay questions require knowledge only of the topics covered in the first half of the unit, and student essay results are not generally better at the end of semester.
- Please consider the fact that you may have several assessments due in other units at the end of semester'
- Please consider the fact that you will need to study for an Examination in this unit at the end of semester, which will require you to answer questions from topics covered across the whole unit.
Special Consideration
Requests for extensions must be submitted via a Special Consideration request, which is available in the http://ask.mq.edu.au portal. Your request should be submitted no later than five days after the due date and will need to be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Please see the Special Consideration policy in the list of policies at the end of this document for further details. Read the policy closely as your request may be turned down if you have not followed procedure, or if you have not submitted a request in a timely manner.
Late Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
Academic Integrity
Academic honesty is taken very seriously, and a range of methods, including but not restricted to the use of Turnitin, are used to detect plagiarism. Misrepresenting someone else's work as your own may be grounds for referral to the Faculty Disciplinary Committee. If you have questions about how to properly cite work or how to credit sources, please ask the convenor for help and see also the Academic Integrity Policy https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-integrity
Note: All assignments in this unit are individual assignments. Collusion (unauthorised collaboration on individual assignments) is a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy. If in doubt, contact a member of teaching staff.
A helpful resource if you would like to know more about referencing and avoiding plagiarism is Macquarie's Academic Integrity Module, available here: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/skills-development. You will need to complete this Module before accessing the unit content, if you have not already done so. More information is available in iLearn.
What about ChatGPT?
Information about this unit's policy on the use of AI will be made available in the Assessment block in iLearn. Please check that information and contact the convenor if you have any questions.
Academic Writing and Study Support
Macquarie University offers a number of services to help with academic writing, referencing and study skills. For details, see: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/skills/assignments
For information about policies related to Assessment, see Policies and Procedures section below.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online timed examination | 25% | No | University Examinations Period |
| 10 weekly quizzes | 20% | No | 11.55pm on Sunday of each week (Weeks 3-12 only) |
| Discussion Participation and Engagement | 15% | No | In weekly SGTAs |
| Essay Self-assessment | 10% | No | Same as your essay submission date |
| iLearn Intro and film reflection | 5% | No | 11.55pm Sunday 6 August |
| Essay | 25% | No | EITHER 11.55pm Sunday 17 Sept OR 11.55pm Sunday 5 Nov |
Online timed examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 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.
10 weekly quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 11.55pm on Sunday of each week (Weeks 3-12 only)
Weighting: 20%
Students complete 10 short online quizzes, worth 2% each. Quizzes must be completed by the end of the teaching week.
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 enhanced skills in clarity of thought, clarity of oral and written expression, and written argumentation.
Discussion Participation and Engagement
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: In weekly SGTAs
Weighting: 15%
Students engage in planned discussion exercises in SGTAs, 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.
Essay Self-assessment
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5.0 hours
Due: Same as your essay submission date
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.
iLearn Intro and film reflection
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 11.55pm Sunday 6 August
Weighting: 5%
Students introduce themselves on the iLearn Discussion Forum (Assessment 1) and post a short 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.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: EITHER 11.55pm Sunday 17 Sept OR 11.55pm Sunday 5 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.
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
NOTE: It is expected that students will attend/listen to ALL LECTURES and 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. The final examination will cover all sections of the unit.
General Submission Procedure: Written assessments must be submitted via TurnItIn at the correct link provided on the Unit iLearn site. You may only make ONE submission for each assessment, and you will NOT be able to view your TurnItIn match similarity report for your assessment before you submit it. You must ensure that you use the correct link for your assessment, and that you upload the correct final version of your assessment. No re-submissions will be permitted.
DELIVERY:
Lectures in this unit will be in-person (on-campus) with recordings available online via Echo360 and the unit iLearn site.
STGA (Small Group Learning Activities) will be either on campus or on zoom (where available).
READING: All required readings are available in Leganto on the unit iLearn site. Supplementary reading is required for Essays. Suggestions for Supplementary Reading will be provided in lectures and on iLearn.
Unit Schedule
SECTION I: (WEEKS 1–5) FRAMEWORKS FOR AN ETHICS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
WEEK 1 (beginning July 24): What is ethics? What is ethical reasoning? (A/Prof Lotz)
Required reading:
Cohen, S.: ‘What is Ethics?
- No SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activity) in Week 1
WEEK 2 (beginning July 31): How can ethical theories help us think about bioethics and biotechnology? (A/Prof Lotz)
Part I: Consequentialist and Autonomy-based ethics.
Required reading:
Thomson, A.: ‘Moral Principles and Moral Theories’.
Grace, D. and Cohen, S.: Chapter 1 pp.15-20, sections on ‘Consequentialism’ and ‘Nonconsequentialism’ in Business Ethics: Problems and Cases.
- Online Discussion Exercise due: by 11.55pm Sunday 6 August.
WEEK 3 (beginning Aug 7): How can ethical theories help us think about bioethics and biotechnology? (A/Prof Lotz)
Part II: Rights-based, Virtue-based, and Care-based ethics.
Required reading:
Rachels, J. Chapter 11, ‘Feminism and the Ethics of Care’, pp. 133-142.
Grace, D and Cohen, S.: Chapter 1 pp.21-24, section on ‘Virtue Ethics’ in Business Ethics: Problems and Cases.
WEEK 4 (beginning Aug 14): Does biotech have lessons to learn from eugenic history? (A/Prof Lotz)
Required reading:
Wikler, D. and Barondess, J. ‘Bioethics and Anti-Bioethics in Light of Nazi Medicine: What Must We Remember?’
Buchanan, A. et al: Excerpt from ‘Eugenics and Its Shadow’
Optional additional reading:
Buchanan, A. et al: Excerpt from ‘Genes, Justice and Human Nature.’
WEEK 5 (beginning Aug 21): How do we do ethical science and research? (Prof Lipworth)
Required reading:
Emanuel, E et al. ‘What Makes Clinical Research Ethical?’ Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), Vol. 283, No. 2 May24/31: 2701-2711.
Glass, B. ‘The Ethical Basis of Science.’
SECTION II (WEEKS 6–10): BIOTECHNOLOGY IN HUMAN HEALTH AND REPRODUCTION
WEEK 6 (beginning Aug 28): Human embryo research – Do human embryonic stem cells have moral status? What about synthetic embryos [SHEEFs]? (A/Prof Lotz)
Required reading:
Harris, J. ‘Stem Cells, Sex and Procreation’
Pera, M. et al. ‘What if stem cells turn into embryos in a dish?’
Optional additional reading:
Aach J. et al. ‘Addressing the ethical issues raised by synthetic human entities with embryo like features’. eLife 2017;6: e20674. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.20674
WEEK 7 (beginning Sept 4): Would anything be wrong with human cloning for procreative purposes? (A/Prof Lotz)
Required reading:
Brock, D. ‘Cloning Human Beings: An Assessment of the Ethical Issues Pro and Con.’
Optional additional reading:
Holm, S. ‘A Life in the Shadow: One Reason Why We Should Not Clone Human Beings.’
Kass, L. ‘The Wisdom of Repugnance.’
MONDAY 11 SEPT – FRIDAY 22 SEPT (inclusive): MID SEMESTER BREAK
- ESSAY OPTION 1 DEADLINE: 11.55pm Sunday 17 September
WEEK 8 (beginning Sept 25): Genetic screening, testing and diagnosis – Is it always better to know? (Prof Lipworth)
Required reading:
Clarke, A. ‘Genetic Screening and Counselling.’
Steinbock, B. ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Embryo Selection.’
WEEK 9 (beginning Oct 2): Should we edit the human genome for future generations? (Prof Lipworth)
- No SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activity) in Week 9.
Required reading:
Chadwick, R. ‘Gene Therapy.’
Smolensky. S. 'CRISPR/Cas9 and Germline Modification: New Difficulties in Obtaining Informed Consent'
Optional additional reading:
Elias, S. and Annas, G.: ‘Somatic and Germline Gene Therapy.’
Warren, MA. ‘The Moral Status of the Gene.’
WEEK 10 (beginning Oct 9): If genetic therapy is ok, what about genetic enhancement?(Prof Lipworth)
Required reading:
Singer, P. ‘Parental Choice and Human Improvement’.
Ter Meulen, R et al: ‘Ethical Issues of Enhancement Technologies’.
Optional additional reading:
Resnik, D and Vorhaus, D. ‘Genetic Modification and Genetic Determinism’.
SECTION III (WEEKS 11-12): BIOTECHNOLOGY IN WIDER CONTEXT – COMMERCE AND FOOD
WEEK 11 (beginning Oct 16): Should human genes be privately ownable and commercially exploitable? (Prof Lipworth)
Required reading:
Chadwick, R. and Hedgecoe, A. ‘Commercial Exploitation of the Human Genome’
Optional additional reading:
Munzer, S. ‘Property, Patents and Genetic Material'
WEEK 12 (beginning Oct 23): Synthetic and food biotechnology: Solving environmental and food scarcity problems? (Prof Lipworth)
Required reading:
Scott, D. 'The Technological Fix Criticisms and the Agricultural Biotechnology Debate'
Rogers, W. ‘Ethical Issues in Synthetic Biology: A Commentary’
Optional additional reading:
Thompson, P. ‘Ethical Issues in Food Biotechnology’
Week 13: (beginning Oct 30): Writing/Exam Preparation Week
- No SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activity) this week
- ESSAY OPTION 2 DEADLINE: 11.55pm Sunday 5 November
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
Changes to topics and readings. Removal of timed online test, replaced by 10 online quizzes.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 03/10/2023 | "Tutor" replaced with teaching staff or teaching team. "Tutorials" replaced with SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activities) |
| 23/07/2023 | Assessment clarification. |
Unit information based on version 2023.04 of the Handbook