AK2008 Ethics of Biotechnology 7.5 credits
Bioteknologins etik
Please note
The information on this page is based on a course plan that is not yet valid.
This is course on the ethical aspects of biotechnology.
| Educational level | Second cycle | Academic level (A-D) | C |
| Subject area | Grade scale | A, B, C, D, E, FX, F |
Course offerings
Autumn 12 for programme students
| Periods Autumn 12 | P1 (4.0 credits), P2 (3.5 credits) | Application code | 50420 |
| Start date | 24/08/2012 | End date | 2013 week: 1 |
| Language of instruction | Swedish | Campus | KTH Campus |
| Number of lectures | 20 (preliminary) | Number of exercises | |
| Tutoring time | Daytime | Form of study | Normal |
| Number of places | No limitation | ||
| Target group | Recommended for students from TIMBM and TMBIM. |
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| Part of programme | |||
Autumn 13 for single courses students - To application
| Periods Autumn 13 | P1 (4.0 credits), P2 (3.5 credits) | Application code | 10014 |
| Start date | 02/09/2013 | End date | 2014 week: 3 |
| Language of instruction | Swedish | Campus | KTH Campus |
| Number of lectures | 20 (preliminary) | Number of exercises | |
| Tutoring time | Daytime | Form of study | Normal |
| Number of places * | 2 - 5 | ||
| *) The Course date may be cancelled if number of admitted are less than minimum of places. If there are more applicants than number of places selection will be made. | |||
| Target group | Suitable for those working in the field of biotechnology. |
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Apply for this course at antagning.se through this
application link. Please note that you need to log in at antagning.se to finalize your application. |
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Autumn 13 for programme students
| Periods Autumn 13 | P1 (4.0 credits), P2 (3.5 credits) | Application code | 50611 |
| Start date | 02/09/2013 | End date | 2014 week: 3 |
| Language of instruction | Swedish | Campus | KTH Campus |
| Number of lectures | 20 (preliminary) | Number of exercises | |
| Tutoring time | Daytime | Form of study | Normal |
| Number of places * | 2 - 15 | ||
| *) The Course date may be cancelled if number of admitted are less than minimum of places. If there are more applicants than number of places selection will be made. | |||
| Target group | Recommended for TIMBM and TMBIM. |
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| Part of programme | |||
Learning outcomes
After completed course the student should be able to
- outline the basic theories and concepts of moral philosophy, and apply those theories and concepts on problems in the field of biotechnology,
- identify and discuss in a critical manner, orally as well as in written form, ethical problems in the field of biotechnology,
- assess the quality of arguments put forth in the field of biotechnology and argue, in an independent and structured way, for or against possible positions held on central issues,
- analyse, independently and in written form, a philosophical problem or area of inquiry related to biotechnology.
Course main content
The course falls in two parts. The first part gives a background in moral philosophy, introducing normative theories like utilitarianism, duty ethics and virtue ethics, etc. The second part departs from practical ethical questions in the field of biotechnology. Questions to be discussed include: Is there an ethical difference between therapeutic and reproductive cloning? Should research on stem cells be legal? Are we the owners of our bodies and if so, should we be allowed to sell our bodily organs? How does gene technology affect the possibilities of giving everyone fair chances in life? How should we cope with risks associated with gene technology? The practical problems dealt with in the course will have influence on discussions of concepts such as rights, justice, ownership, naturalness, integrity, autonomy, and risk.
Disposition
Lectures, seminars, and individual essay writing (under supervision).
The course starts only if a sufficient number of students have applied for it.
Eligibility
120 credits academic studies in technology or natural science, including documented proficiency in Swedish (Swedish 3) and English (English 6).
Literature
Kurslitteratur anslås på kursens hemsida senast fyra veckor innan kursstart.
Examination
- DEL1 - Attendance, 1.5 credits, grade scale: P, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- ÖVN1 - Homework, 3.0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Requirements for final grade
- Attendance (DEL1; 1,5 cr)
- Exam (TEN1; 3 cr)
- Essay (ÖVN1; 3 cr)
Offered by
ABE/Philosophy
Contact
Barbro Fröding, 08-790 9596, barbro.froding@abe.kth.se
Examiner
Sven Ove Hansson <soh@kth.se>
Version
Course plan valid from:
Autumn 13.
Examination information valid from:
Autumn 07.