DEPARTMENT: Biology                                                                                                            
COURSE NUMBER:  BIO 308
CREDIT HOURS: 3.0

Professor:  Dr. Terry L. Derting
                   Chemistry 1211; Phone: 809-6327
Class Meetings:  Tu 2:30-5:20
E-mail:  tderting@murraystate.edu
Web address: http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/tderting/derting.htm
Office Hours:  If you want time to discuss a question, I recommend that we set up a specific time to meet.

I.  TITLE:   Ethics in Biology

II.  CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
             A comprehensive study of current ethical issues in biology, including topics in genetics and biotechnology, reproductive technology, species conservation, use of natural resources,  and medicine and human/nonhuman interests.  Understanding and application of value choices and ethics is emphasized.  (3 hours of lecture/discussion; Prerequisites - Completion of two semesters of undergraduate laboratory science)

III.  PURPOSE:
             To gain an understanding of a broad variety of ethical issues in biology and their complexity.  To learn to explain and justify an ethic.

IV.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

You shall be able to:

A.  identify and analyze ethical issues in biology,
B.  understand that science is filled with ethical judgments,
C.  learn the professional standards that govern the practice of biology and decision making,
D.  recognize differing priorities, to balance them when designing solutions to complex ethical problems,
E.  identify impacts of current and historical cultural and societal norms on bioethical issues and their resolution,
F.  demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of ethical issues in biology through writing and discussion.

VI.  INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
        All information pertaining to the course (syllabus, assignments, etc.) will be posted on Blackboard.  Make sure that you become familiar with all components of Blackboard at the beginning of the semester.

       One of the most important components of the course is the discussions.  It is essential that every student participate in each class discussion.   Expression of your thoughts, even if redundant with views expressed by another student, is important.  Make every effort to be a thoughtful and vocal participant in class.     

        Also, pairs of students will help lead specific discussions by presenting a current case on the topic for that week. As a discussion leadert, it is your responsibility to search out scientific information regarding the case that you are presenting.  With that information, give the class an objective background regarding the case.  Make sure that the sources of information that you use are objective, scientific sources and that the case clearly represents key ethical issues related to the topic.

         You will hand in four written papers on selected discussions in which you critically evaluate an issue, express your thoughts concerning that week's discussion, how it affected your personal views and, how it contributed to your understanding of the value choices and ethics involved.    At the end of the course you will review your written assignments and attempt to discover, and more clearly defend, the values and ethical paradigms that underlay your weekly responses.  Points will be deducted for improper grammar and typographical errors.  In each paper regarding a class discussion you must explicitly state at least one ethic that you believe is relevant to the topic and must provide a justification for that ethical statement.  You will be graded on your ability to justify and refute ethical/unethical views pertaining to a topic.  Make sure that you are familiar with the rubric (posted on Blackboard) that I will use when grading your papers. At least two of the four written papers are due before October 14.  Sample papers are posted on BB.

         Note: Quotes are not allowed in written papers. Papers must be submitted via BB.

           You are responsible for all assigned readings.  You will be assigned approximately 40 - 60 pages per week.  You may be quizzed orally or in writing about assigned readings.  

VII.  FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:  None

VIII.  RESOURCES:
             The major resources for the course are the readings and the information presented by discussion leaders.  For additional help, discussion with your classmates and myself is strongly encouraged.

Relevant web sites:
          The Triple Helix: http://www.thetriplehelix.org/ ( a website developed by undergraduates, focuses on current ethical issues)
          Bioethics web log:  blog.bioethics.net
          The Bioethics Internet Project ( a great site for discussion and information):  www.bioethics.net
Fisheries:  http://golgi.harvard.edu/biopages/biodiversity.html
Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange:  http://www.fw.vt.edu/fishex/
EcoNet:  http://www.econet.apc.org/econet
EcoWeb:  http://ecosys.drdr.virginia.edu./EcoWeb.html
EnviroLink Network:  http://envirolink.org/
Department of the Interior's Natural Resources Library:  http://www.ios.doi.gov/nrl/
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service:  http://www.fws.gov/
International Information:  http://www.oneworld.org/panos/index.html
Biopolitics International Organization:  http://www.hol.gr/bio/web/html/biopolit.htm
World Conservation Monitoring Center:  http://www.wcmc.org.uk/
Sierra Club:  http://www.sierraclub.org
Natural Resources Defense Council:  http://www.nrdc.org
Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics:  http://www.afseee.org
Bioethicsline, a database of 60,000 references regarding ethical issues:  http://guweb.georgetown.edu/nrcbl
Links to on-line resources for ethics:  http://outcast.gene.com/ae/21st/TL/TBE/resources2.html
The Human Genome Program: ethical and social issues:  http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/home.html
The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity:  http://www.cbhd.org
Bioethics Discussion Pages:  Http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~mbernste/index.html
Center for Bioethics Virtual Library:  http://www.med.upenn.edu/~bioethic
Midwest Bioethics Center:  http://www-midbio.com

             90 - 100     A - unusual ability and distinctive performance
             80 - 89       B - articulate, above average performance
             70 - 79       C - satisfactory performance
             60 - 69       D - passing work, below standard
             < 60           E - work not acceptable for passing credit

             Grades are based on the following percentages:

             Case presentation                                             14%
             Class participation                                            30%
             Journals on Issues  (x 4)                                   32%
             Revealing Ethics                                              10%
             Final Journal Analysis                                      14%
                                                                                     _____
                                                                                     100%

If you have a question about a grade assigned during a particular week, you must raise that question within a week of receipt of the grade.

Class Participation: Participation in class will be graded according to the Participation rubric.

Leading Discussions: Your presentation of an ethical issue will be graded according to the Presentation rubric.

All written essays will be graded according to the rubric for written journals.

Your final journal must address the following:

• two topics not studied during the semester: one must be human oriented andone must be focused on a topic related to a non-human issue.
• for each topic you must 1) state a relevant ethic that meets the formal conditions for an ethic, 2) justify your ethic, 3) describe at least one application of the ethic to a current biological issue, 4) address counter arguments to your ethic and its application, and 5) write a section in which you present what you believe is the best and most ethical solution to the issue.  You will need to consider all stakeholders and the various ethical issues involved.  Explain why your solution is the most ethical solution for all stakeholders involved. 

You are expected to actively participate in all discussions.  Cooperative work among students is strongly encouraged, particularly when you are in charge of preparing and conducting a discussion session. All assignments must be turned in by the assigned due date.  The only exception to this is in the event of a medical or other emergency.  Written documentation must be provided as evidence of such an emergency.  Late assignments will be penalized 10% per day late.

X.  ATTENDANCE POLICY:
             Students are expected to attend all scheduled course activities.

XI.  ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
             Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's  material as one's own, or doing work for another person which will receive academic credit) are all impermissible.  This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an assignment, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments,  reports, or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were your own work.  If substantial evidence exists for a violation of this policy, you will receive a grade of 'E' for the course.  Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline that I administer in the course itself.  If you are unsure about the authorized use of any source of information, it is your responsibility to check with me prior to the use of that information.

XII.  TEXT AND REFERENCES

Required Software:
            Bube, P.C. 2010. Revealing Ethics. Version 2. Thinking Strings Interactive Explorations.

XIV.  NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT