FALL 2007 HONORS COURSES

HONR 218N Stem Cells–Who Cares? Issues in Life Sciences
Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-4:45 pm.
Dr. Dennis O’Connor, Department of Biology; former Dean of the Graduate School

It has been over fifty years since the discovery of the double helical structure of DNA. This continuing era of Life Sciences has witnessed some of the most profound and insightful experimental results in the history of science. In addition these same experimental results have produced some equally profound social, political and ethical conundrums. The titled example is a case as point. Stem cells have the potential for not only important insights into how cells may change function but they also may offer some remarkable therapeutic capacity. At present, embryonic stem cells are only available from aborted embryos, and therein lies the social, political and ethical issues arising from their biology.

This course will examine issues associated with particular aspects of the Biological Sciences. The approach will be to first understand the science behind the issues and the ramifications of the science in the body politic. The course will attempt to place the understanding of scientific phenomena as the underpinning of policy decisions at different levels. Topics covered will include somatic nuclear transfer (also popularly known as cloning), genetically modified crops, and animal experimentation to name but a few.

Grading will be based on a midterm exam, final exam, several brief position papers, and class participation.

The reading list will be presented at the first meeting and will include materials from Scientific American, Science, Nature, the New York Times Science Supplement, and other sources.

CORE: Life Sciences, non-lab [LS]