PHIL 450A ST: Ethics, Science & Biotechnology

This course examines a range of ethical issues pertaining to biomedical technology and research. Topics may include ethical questions surrounding research on human embryos, assisted reproductive technologies (e.g. in-vitro fertilization, cloning), the use of genetic technology to prevent diseases and disabilities in future offspring or to create children with other desirable traits, the use of animals in medical research, and the development of neuro-technologies to treat or improve human beings. Our study may also cover past and present ethical problems in human research, including research on vulnerable populations such as children, the mentally ill, and people in developing countries.