EDST 391 Ethics & the Human Genome

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Date:
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Assignment for Day 3

“Ethics”—what does that mean?


Readings:

 

·         “Ethics”—online article in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

 

Was handed out during class:

·         “Neanderthal genome hints at language potential but little human interbreeding,” New York Times, 2/13/09.


Be prepared to discuss:

·         This reading discusses different ethical philosophies, in particular, three different standards or types of “normative ethics” (virtue, duty, consequentialist). What is the difference between them? Do they sometimes conflict?

·         Now think back to the articles we discussed in our last class, especially the articles you contributed. What kinds of ethical arguments did they make—virtue, duty, and/or consequentialist? Please explain, using specific examples or quotations from the articles (or from memory, if you don’t have them in front of you).

·         My aim here is for us to get a sense of the ethical standards that are often applied—and not—in debates over genomic research and technology.