This seminar will deal with recent and projected developments in the
fields of human biology and medicine.  Some new developments pertain
to the very beginning of individual human life. Indeed, reproductive
decision-making has become increasingly complex with respect to the
many ways of selecting parents (in vitro fertilization and cloning are
two examples), with regard to predetermining the sex or immune system
genotype of a planned child, and even the production of babies through
sperm banks in an attempt to create desired qualities. New biomedical
products (hormones, antibodies) and new procedures (gene therapy,
tissue/organ transplanting) certainly can be viewed with great hope
toward improving individual lives, and in fact in determining whether
some babies will survive or how low long an elderly person should be
kept alive. Medical progress is not entirely problem or value free,
however. Thus, while this seminar is primarily devoted to the
exploration of exciting, new biomedical developments, we will not
concentrate our efforts on understanding the minute details of the
science. Instead, we will begin with the scientific basics, but also
consider the many ethical issues raised by the new procedures and
discuss how some choices may conflict with certain values and belief
systems. Please remember that many of the issues we will be discussing
can be emotionally distressing, either in the abstract or for personal
reasons.  A respect for others’ viewpoints and feelings will be stressed..

Grading:

Your grade for the seminar will be based on quizzes, written
exercises, a short term paper (critical review), and VERY IMPORTANTLY
on your level of participation in the seminar discussions. This
seminar is meant to offer a forum in which we can all benefit from
vigorous and fair-minded interchange among all members. Hence, you are
expected to be well-prepared to discuss the assigned readings and
videotape programs. Your participation will be evaluated according to
how well you demonstrate your preparation during the discussions, and
on your ability to participate in the give-and-take of healthy
discussion. You are encouraged to take notes on the readings to
facilitate your discussion participation. Your participation grade
will be reduced by 5% for each unexcused absence from seminar
meetings.  During the semester we will be doing several written
exercises, some in class, some take-home, designed to help you explore
these issues in more depth. Some of these exercises will require you
to do online research or other out-of-class activities.  Periodically,
short in-class quizzes will be used to assess your basic understanding
of the issues.  A short critical review of one of the approved topics
(listed at the end of the syllabus) will be due on the day of the
scheduled final for this course.  This critical review (approximately
5-7 pages long) allows you to explore a particular course topic in
more depth, both in terms of the current literature and your own
opinion.  The review will be based not only on your course readings,
but at least four outside articles or books, and must include a
reference section and proper citations.  You will present your
critical review to the class orally during the scheduled final exam
period (Tuesday, May 6, 12:30-2:30 pm).

	Quizzes		= 25% of total course grade
	Exercises		= 25% of total course grade
	Critical Review	= 25% of total course grade
	Participation	= 25% of total course grade

Approved Critical Review Topics:

1.Surrogate Motherhood/New Reproductive Methods (e.g., IVF)
2. Non-Treatment of Severely Deformed Newborn Babies
3. Right to Die (DNR orders, suicide, non-treatment)
4. Physician Assisted Suicide
5. Organ Transplants (e.g. transplant waitlist, black market, etc.)
6. Embryo Research/Stem Cell issues
7. Genetically Modified Organisms (non-human)
8. Human Gene Therapy
9. Human Genome Project
10. Human Reproductive Cloning
11. Human Therapeutic Cloning
12. Gene/Organism Patenting
13. Genetic Testing – Who? When? Why?
14. Genetic Privacy
15. Government Regulations on any of the above

Write a 5-7 page (1.5 spacing, reasonable font, reasonable margins)
critical review of one of the above approved topics. In your review,
first bring out the main points concerning what it is and how it has
been handled. Then, provide your critical assessment from the
standpoints of feasibility, economic considerations, potential for
good and abuse, and ways of monitoring and controlling the practice.
Finally, express your own opinions on the issue by taking a stand and
presenting evidence to support your argument.

You should use the assigned readings and videotapes in preparing your
report, but you must also do a library and website search to locate
and use the most recent information on the topic. In class you will be
shown the specifics regarding citations and how to prepare a list of
references. Your list of references must include at least 4 outside
articles or books from which you have incorporated information into
your review. You will be scheduled to present your critical review
orally during the scheduled finals period.