Biotechnology Law and Society

Year 2: Spring semester, 2 credits

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This course is designed to bring together skills and knowledge of the biotechnology industry from previous coursework with a broader understanding of the environments in which biotechnology research, development and marketing proceeds.

By the end of the course, students will appreciate that decisions made at every phase of product design, development and circulation are simultaneously technical, financial, social and ethical in nature. Students will be introduced to present and emerging political arenas, public debates, and social concerns that must be taken into account when planning new products, and writing business and strategic plans in biotechnology industries. Students will gain familiarity with ethical guidelines and policy development related to a variety of biotechnological products and services.

Course Format

The course will include a combination of lectures, guest speakers, case studies, and in-class exercises.

Students are expected to read assigned materials prior to class and prepare discussion questions on individual materials and readings as a whole. Additionally, students are asked to post comments, questions and discussion to faculty and fellow students in the interim times between sessions. These are expected to be more substantive than questions for clarification.

Assignments will ask students to respond to specific cases or questions utilizing assigned readings, in-class discussions and secondary research where appropriate.

The course is designed to parallel and extend some topics from other courses; for example, on vaccines and genetically modified organisms. Therefore, students are encouraged to integrate and build upon material from other Program courses with this course.