Biosafety and Bioethics
Code
10653
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas
Credits
3.0
Teacher in charge
Palmira de Jesus Fontes da Costa
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
26
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
- To contextualize the ethical dimension of the life sciences and their applications;
- To promote an informed debate on the increasing importance of the life sciences and biotechnology in society;
- To debate to what extent science is neutral and the issue of the social responsibility of scientists;
- To develop the ability of students to contextualize and to debate scientific and ethical problems.
Prerequisites
Does not apply.
Subject matter
1. Scientists responsability towards society;
2. The nature and scope of Biosafety and of Bioethics;
3. The birth of bioethics: Historical context;
4. Introduction to the main approaches of Bioethics;
6. Specific ethical Issues raised by Genetics and Biotechnology: Patents; Access to genetic information; Cloning and steam cells; Gene therapy; Organ and tissue transplants in the biotechnological era; Genetic Modified Organisms;
7. Ethics and animals: Utilitarism and animal walfare; Should non-human animals have rights?, Experimentation on animals; Alternative methods to animal experimentation; Ethics and Biodiversity.
8. Genetic Modified Organisms and Biotechnological agriculture.
9. Biosafety: Risk assessment, The precautionary principle, Biosafety in laboratories; The Cartagena Biosafety Protocol.
10. A brief introduction to bioethical issues as seen by different cultures and religions.
11. Codes and committes on Scientific Ethics
Bibliography
Ben Mephan, Bioethics: An Introduction to the Biosciences, Oxford University Press, 2008.
Cristina Beckert (ed.), Ética Ambiental, Uma Ética para o Futuro, Centro de Filosofia da Universidade de Lisboa, 2003.
H. Kuhse & P. Singer, (eds.). A Companion to Bioethics. Blackwell, 1998.
Humberto Rosa, Bioética para as Ciências Naturais, FLAD/NSF International Bioethics Institute, 2002.
James Rachels, Elementos de Filosofia Moral, Gradiva, 2003.
Peter Singer, Ética Prática, Gradiva, 2000.
Teaching method
Theoretical calsses; PowerPoint presentations; debate of case studies; role playing; documentaries; presentation a disucssion of a film related to the discipline; semminars.
Evaluation method
Students need to attend at least two thirds of the theorethica-practical classes in order to be approved in the course.
This course has continuous assesement
Evaluation theoretical classes:
Two essays written in two of the classes of the course (40%).
Date first essay: 21 April.
Date second essay: 19 May.
Accomplishment of small tasks related to the discipline.
Evaluation of pratical classes:
Oral presentation of an article on bioethcs (groups of two elements) (40%).
Accomplishment of small tasks related to the discipline during the first third of the semester while the presentations of articles have not yet started.
The accomplishment of small tasks in both Theoretical and Pratical classes contributes to 20% of the final grade.
Participation can contribute to adjust the final grade of the student.