Listed in: First Year Seminar, as FYSE-02
Caroline E. Goutte (Section 01)
Patricia B. O'Hara (Section 02)
David I. Ratner (Section 03)
The sequencing of the human genome ranks as one of the most significant scientific achievements of the last century. How might we ensure that scientific progress is matched by society’s ability to use that knowledge for human betterment? Although the scientific ramifications of the genomic revolution are just beginning to be explored, major implications are already apparent in such diverse fields as philosophy, medicine and law. The course will begin with a primer on genetics and molecular biology but quickly move to consider some of the philosophical, ethical, and very practical societal concerns raised by recent genetic discoveries. We will consider such issues as the origin of humans and of human races (and are there such?), the use and potential misuse of DNA fingerprinting by governmental agencies, whether genetic information should be protected from scrutiny by insurance companies or employers, the ability of parents to screen potential offspring for a range of diseases, the creation of genetically altered plants and animals, and human gene therapy.
In this discussion-based course, students will consider the “code of life” from molecular, evolutionary, philosophical, ethical, and legal perspectives. Students will be expected to actively engage the full range of thought–from the evaluation of primary-source scientific data to the consideration of their societal ramifications–that accompanies a major scientific revolution. Readings will be drawn from an array of sources including original-research articles, histories, popular-science works, and essays. Careful attention will be paid to the conveyance of ideas: frequent writing projects will be assigned, and students will discuss their work in formal presentations and the occasional debate. The seminar will be taught in three separate sections so as to give students the greatest opportunity to contribute to the back-and-forth exchange of ideas in the classroom.
Fall semester. Professors Goutte, O'Hara, and Ratner.
Section 01
Tu 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MERR 314
Th 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MERR 314
Section 02
Tu 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MERR 430
Th 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MERR 430
Section 03
Tu 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MCLS 428
Th 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM MCLS 428