GENC 665 Ethics in Genetics and Biomedical Sciences

This course is designed to prepare its students to become educated participants in the issues and debates that surround genomic medicine. The beginning of the course provides an introduction to the histories and theories of biomedical ethics and explains relevant frameworks and terminology. Using this background knowledge, specific biomedical ethics topics are then explored. These topics relative to genetics include: informed consent, genetic testing of minors, duty to warn, sterilization of people with disabilities, return of research findings, sex selection, savior siblings, gene therapy, gene patenting, posthumous paternity, and the moral status of embryos. Case studies are used throughout to encourage discussion and debate.