FRS 002GG —
Sec. 001 —
(2 units) — CRN 55903 — R 2:10-4:00pm — 123 Wellman
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.
Professor Chiamvimonvat is a member of the faculty in the Department
of Medicine,
Cardiovascular Division. Her research focuses on cardiac ion channels
and arrhythmia.
Current projects include: 1. Cardiac ion channel regulation and 2.
Characterization
of a novel cardiac ion channel.
Both faculty members bring a knowledge of modern molecular methods, and their
impact on medicine and society.