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Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy

Approx. 14 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Explore the ethical issues surrounding synthetic biology and biotechnology in this course, SynBioEthics. Learn about the potential benefits and risks of these emerging technologies from experts in the field.

Key Learning Points

Understand the ethical implications of synthetic biology and biotechnology
Examine the social and economic impacts of these emerging technologies
Engage in discussions and debates with experts in the field

Learning Outcomes

Identify and analyze ethical issues related to synthetic biology and biotechnology
Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of these emerging technologies
Engage in informed discussions and debates with experts in the field

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of biology
Interest in the ethical implications of emerging technologies

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Interactive discussions

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Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Director of the Emory Center for Ethics
Director of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU
Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics

Related Books

Description

Synbio is a diverse field with diverse applications, and the different contexts (e.g., gain-of-function research, biofuels) raise different ethical and governance challenges. The objective of this course is to increase learners’ awareness and understanding of ethical and policy/governance issues that arise in the design, conduct and application of synthetic biology. The course will begin with a short history of recombinant DNA technology and how governance of that science developed and evolved, and progress through a series of areas of application of synbio.

Content will be presented in many forms, including not only reading and lectures, but also recorded and live interviews and discussions with scientists, ethicists and policy makers. Learners will have the opportunity to think, write and talk about the issues and challenges in their own work and in real-life case examples. A final project will engage students in the development of governance models for synbio.

Outline

Welcome to Engineering Life: SynBio, Bioethics & Public Policy
Course Introduction
Syllabus: Engineering Life

Recombinant DNA Technology: Science and History
Week 1 Introduction
A Brief History of rDNA
A Brief History of Asilomar & the RAC
Interview: Dr. LeRoy Walters (Part 1)
Interview: Dr. LeRoy Walters (Part 2)
Interview: Dr. LeRoy Walters (Part 3)
Relevant Contemporary Policy Context
The Emergence of SynBio
Week 1 Readings
Week 1 Quiz

GOF Research
Week 2 Introduction
Gain of Function Research
Dual Use Research
GOF Research Case Study: H5N1
Ethical Issues Raised by GOF Research
Governance and GOF Research
Week 2 Readings
Additional Video Content

Biofuels
Week 3 Introduction
Biofuels
Applications
Case Study
Ethical Issues Raised by SynBio-based Biofuels
Interview: Deborah Scott, PhD, JD (Part 1)
Interview: Deborah Scott, PhD, JD (Part 2)
Week 3 Readings
Additional Video Content
Week 3 Quiz

Human Health
Week 4 Introduction
Synbio in Human Health
Human Genetic Modification
Case Study: Artemisinin
Case Study: GM Mosquitos
Ethical Issues Raised by SynBio-based Medical Applications
Governance of SynBio-based Medical Applications
Week 4 Readings
Additional Video Content

Governance
Week 5 Introduction
Governance & Engagement in SynBio
Governance Models
Public Engagement
Interview: Dr. LeRoy Walters on Governance and Recombinant DNA
Interview: Dr. LeRoy Walters on the Importance of Relationships to the Field of SynBio
Interview: Dr. Jane Calvert (Part 1)
Interview: Dr. Jane Calvert (Part 2)
Week 5 Readings
Additional Video Content

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the ethical issues surrounding synthetic biology with SynBioEthics. Students rate this course as an excellent resource for understanding the ethical implications of synthetic biology and how to approach them.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues surrounding synthetic biology.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.
The course content is up-to-date and relevant.
The course provides a valuable perspective on the ethical implications of synthetic biology.
The course offers practical guidance on how to approach ethical issues in synthetic biology.

Cons from User Reviews

The course can be quite technical at times, which may be challenging for some learners.
Some learners felt that the course could have gone into more depth on certain topics.
The course may not be suitable for those without a background in biology or ethics.
Some learners found the course to be too focused on Western perspectives and could have included more diverse viewpoints.
The course could benefit from more interactive elements, such as quizzes or discussion forums.

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Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy

Synbio is a diverse field with diverse applications, and the different contexts (e. g. , gain-of-function research, biofuels) raise different ethical and governance challenges....

Save Course