Shaping the Future

The release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment has great potential for agriculture and industry, however the consequences posed by the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another are uncertain. Germline gene therapy is proving to be a major molecular-genetic advancement for medical science, yet there is much controversy over whether genetic manipulation of germline constitutes an ethical approach for the treatment of inheritable disease. The use of gene splicing to develop biological weapons is yet another issue that has considerable social, political, and ethical impacts. This seminar will use writing as a tool to explore these and other biotechnological advances and their societal implications. Classroom discussions, debates, and writing exercises will emphasize the ethical considerations brought about by the Human Genome Project, the introduction of DNA fingerprinting into the U.S. judicial system, and the pending arrival of "edible vaccines" on grocery store shelves to name a few.