FRS 002 — Sec. 006 — (2 units) — CRN 53584 — T 2:10-4:00pm— 3202 Genome Bldg.
Impact of Biomedical Molecular Revolution on Society: Ethical and Social Implications

Instructor: Anne Knowlton, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine

Description: The course will focus on the impact of biomedical and molecular advances on society. Focus will be on advances such as: DNA testing; stem cell therapy; cloning; use of DNA chip arrays to predict lifelong health, and potentially deny employment, reproduction, etc.; and the use of biological markers as a permanent identity. Ethical issues such as in the recent in vitro fertilization and genetic screening done to identify a fetus that would be suitable match for marrow donation for an existing sibling with leukemia. Genetic manipulation of other animals to develop organ replacements. Cloning for the purpose of developing organ replacements. Gene therapy and genetic manipulation of embryos. Readings will include both pro-biotechnology and anti-biotechnology selections. The goal is to educate students about the impact of science/biomedicine on everyone’s daily life, and the complex ethical and moral issues involved. The secondary goal is to engage students as to the importance of understanding science, no matter whether science is their major.

Format: Will meet weekly for 2 hours. No field trips. Reading of relevant articles/text. Preparation of one 5-page paper addressing one issue. Paper will need to both explain the underlying science, and then outline and discuss ethical issues. Grading: Grading will be based on classroom participation (50%), including demonstration of preparative reading prior to class. 50% of grade will be based on the paper.

About the Instructor: Professor Knowlton is a member of the faculty in the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division and Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her research interests include heat shock proteins and cardiovascular injury and the role of estrogen and aging in cardiovascular injury. Current projects include studies on 1. HSP60 and inflammation and 2. Estrogen and endothelial signaling.