Biotechnologies

The course aims to provide students with the necessary historical and conceptual tools to understand the evolution of philosophical, sociological, political, and normative ideas that characterize discussions on ethical and cultural controversies surrounding basic research and applications of biomedical and agrifood biotechnology. Lectures will stimulate students to critically analyze the various bioethical arguments that confront each other in the public arena. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: - Frame historically and epistemologically the role played by science in human progress; - Orient with respect to ethical theories from which bioethics draws ideas and modes of argumentation; - Trace the origins and evolution of bioethics, as well as the role of biotechnological advances in stimulating ethical debate. - Understand the philosophical, psychological and anthropological background of different bioethical topics and the doctrine of informed consent. - Identify the ethical principles common to most bioethical thought. - Understand the structure of a bioethical argument and the political use of a bioethical argument to regulate research and the use of innovations - Analyze the bioethical dimensions of the following controversial topics: agricultural and food GMOs; clinical and pharmaceutical applications of molecular genetics: genetic testing, biomaterial banks, patents and legislation, gene therapy; assisted reproductive technologies; stem cell research and regenerative medicine; misconduct of scientists, animal experimentation, neuroethics, and the ethics of science communication.