Course Objectives
The goal of this course is to equip students with the critical competence necessary to explore the moral issues arising from the interaction between humans and all other things in nature. Here students are expected to display serious awareness of the moral issues arising in such areas as the applications of science and technology in bio-engineering, space explorations, nuclear capabilities, environmental utilization, reproductive engineering and life determination matters such as euthanasia, etc. They are expected to be able to lead in the search for new path-ways for meeting the moral challenges posed by science and technology to human and ecological survival.
Course Outline
- This course provides the avenue for a detailed examination of contemporary biomedical ethical issues such as the definition of a person, determination of life and death, euthanasia, abortion, prenatal diagnosis and intervention, problems in the physician-patient relationship, prescription, wellness and well-being, alternative approaches to health, certification and training of health professional, health of health professional, reproductive technologies, genetic engineering and accessibility to health care.
- It introduces ethical issues that are related to business enterprises and professional practices such as the questions of striking and advertising; preferential hiring; responsibility to society; the organization and the profession. Wages and Rewards in Business world It will also consider theoretical questions about free enterprise, open market, free trade, WTO, socialist politics, and government controls and regulations. Down sizing, technological upgrade. Use and abuse of information in business. Patents and copyrights. The course will also discuss the position of various professional ethics in the light of moral obligations and legal duties in society. Can one legislate right and ought? What is the position of the ethicist in the pharmacological industries?
- It also introduces students to ethics in and of scientific and technological knowledge - nature, meaning, use. An overview of ethical issues related to the impact of modern technology on scientific research and the activities of corporations and professionals. Topics include: moral responsibility in the age of technology, genetic engineering of plants, animals and humans, environmental ethics, privacy in the computer age, and ethical issues in international markets. Attention will also be devoted to scientific and technological disparity among societies and relations in the present age.
Methodology
Course will be administered by a combination of Seminars and Lectures.
Contact Hours: 3 Hours weekly.
Evaluation
- One In-course essay (3,500 to 4,000 words) … … 40%
- Final two-hour Examination … … 60%