Syllabus:

Readings for Bioethical Perspectives on Genetically Modified Organisms with special emphasis on foods.

http://www.cgiar.org/biotech/rep0100/contents.htm

(Contents list of a comprehensive overview from which we will draw only a few sections.)

http://www.cgiar.org/biotech/rep0100/serageld.pdf

(A focus on the general role of science, technology with respect to social issues.

http://www.fsai.ie/publications/leaflets/GM_leaflet04.pdf

(Official Irish perspective.)

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/gmfoods/index.cfm

(Official Australian perspective.)

http://www.cgiar.org/biotech/rep0100/Ndiritu.pdf

(An African point of view.)

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering

(Very specific advocacy viewpoint by global organization.)

http://www.fao.org/news/2001/img/ethics.pdf

(United Nations perspective.)

Assignments:

Please do these things in order:

(1) Write down whether or not you think scientists ought to be pushing, developing, and expanding the use of genetically modified (food) organisms or not and a brief itemization of why you hold that view.

(2) Read the materials noted above, all available over internet, take notes for discussion, jot down questions you want to discuss with other students. Come to class prepared to actively participate with your class members for elsewhere around the globe.

(3) Prepare a new short list of 3 strongest arguments for using GMOs and the three strongest arguments against using GMOs.

(4) Think about whether the readings have changed your mind at all and why or why not.

(5) Boulder students will be responsible for preparing a 1 page summary and analysis of the Sep. 30^th meeting between Boulder and Dublin.

(6) Dublin students will be responsible for preparing a 1 page summary and analysis of the Oct. 4^th meeting between Dublin and Wollongong.

(7) Wollongong students will be responsible for preparing 1 page summary and analysis of Oct. 6/7 meeting between Wollongong and Boulder.

(8) Be thinking about a consensus document from whole class at the end.