MBBE/Biol 304 (3 credits) Biotechnology: Science and ethical issues
Time: 1:30-2:20 MWFInstructors:
D. Borthakur
D. Christopher
Textbooks:
(i) Introduction to Biotechnology (B1), by William J. Thielman and Michael A. Palladino,
(ii) A companion to Genethics (B2), edited by Justine Burley and John Harris
Lecture |
Topic |
Textbook chapter |
1 |
Introduction to biotechnology and ethical issues. Biotechnology century and its workforce, products of modern biotechnology |
B1 chapter 1 |
2 |
Approaches to ethical thoughts and issues: utilitarianism and objectivism |
B1 chapter 13 |
3 |
Animal biotechnology |
B1 chapter 7 |
4 |
Clones: creating Dolly |
B1 chapter 7 |
5 |
Ethical issues in animal biotechnology |
B2 chapter 6 |
6 |
Stem cell technologies |
B1 chapter 11 pp 256-263 |
7 |
Therapeutic implications of stem cell biology |
B2 chapters 1 |
8 |
Ethical use of embryonic stem cells in research and therapy |
B2 chapter 12 |
Exam 1 (15%) |
||
9 |
Cloning in biology and medicine: opportunities and ethical issues |
B2 chapter 3 |
10 |
Cell structure, chromosome, DNA |
B1 chapter 2 |
11 |
Transcription, translation, |
B1 chapter 2 |
12 |
Concept of gene, mutation |
B1 chapter 2 |
13 |
Gene cloning, restriction enzymes, plasmid vectors, Lambda vectors, gene library |
B1 chapter 3 |
14 |
Ethical issues in recombinant DNA technology, Asilomar conference and recombinant DNA regulations |
Article by Paul Berg |
15 |
Polymerase chain reaction |
B1 chapter 3 |
16 |
Southern and Northern analyses, DNA sequencing, gene microarrays |
B1 chapter 3 |
Exam 2 (15%) |
||
17 |
Medical biotechnology: detection of genetic diseases |
B1 chapter 11 |
18 |
Medical biotechnology: medical products through biotechnlogy |
B1 chapter 11 |
19 |
Medical biotechnology; gene therapy |
B1 chapter 11 |
20 |
Medical biotechnology: human genome project |
B1 chapter 11 |
21 |
Ethical issues in gene therapy for neurological disorder |
B2 chapter 2 |
22 |
Ethical issues in mapping the human genome |
B2 chapters 10, 25 |
23 |
Ethical issues preimplantation genetic diagnosis and embryo selection |
B2 chapter 13 |
24 |
Protein as products |
B1 chapter 4 |
Exam 3 (15%) |
||
25 |
Microbial biotechnology |
B1 chapter 5 |
26 |
Microbial biotechnology |
B1 chapter 5 |
27 |
Microbial biotechnology |
B1 chapter 5 |
28 |
DNA fingerprinting and forensic analysis |
B1 chapter 8 |
29 |
DNA fingerprinting and forensic analysis |
B1 chapter 8 |
30 |
Forensic DNA typing: ethical issues and social impact |
B2 chapter 26 |
31 |
Sex selection: the technology, consequences and ethical issues |
B2 chapter 16 |
32 |
Creating perfect people, ethical principles in genetic screening |
B2 chapters 17 and 34 |
Exam 4 (15%) |
||
33 |
Plant biotechnology |
B1 chapter 6 |
34 |
Plant biotechnology and ethical issues |
B1 chapter 6 and journal articles |
35 |
Critical questions in plant biotechnology |
Journal articles |
36 |
Bioremediation and ethical issues |
B1 chapter 9 |
37 |
Aquatic biotechnology |
B1 chapter 10 |
38 |
Ethical issues in aquatic biotechnology |
B1 chapter 10 and journal articles |
39 |
Biotechnology regulations, Legal and ethical issues of biotechnology |
B1 chapter 12 B2 chapter 31 |
40 |
Ethical issues of gene patents |
B2 chapters 32 and 33 |
Final exam (40%: 15% from the last 8 lectures and 25% from the entire course) |
Final exam will have two parts. Part 1 will carry 15% covering lectures after exam 4, and part II will carry 25% with questions from the entire course. Regular attendance is important for this course. 5% of the grade will be based on attendance.
