Paper 1: Ethics and the Human Genome

Ethics and the Human Genome

PAPER 1
Due March 8 (Rewrite due March 22)
Typed, double-spaced, stapled, and with pages numbered
2 copies

Length is flexible, but aim for 4-5 pages.

Please attach a completed Writer Response form to the copy for your fellow.

Background

· In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley describes an imaginary society where “everybody is happy now.” Its leaders guarantee happiness, from birth to death, by using scientific technologies to systematically shape inhabitants’ minds and bodies, even before birth. We see throughout the book that they must provide citizens a medical utopia in order to sustain their broader social utopia covering all aspects of life.

· For this paper, I want you to focus primarily on their utopia’s essential core—using science, technology, and medicine to redesign, reconstruct, and enhance human bodies and minds.

Your Task

· Several course readings have described, or hinted at, the medical utopia that genomics seems to promise.

Question to be answered: "To what extent, and why, is our society headed (or not) toward the dystopia depicted in Brave New World?” A good answer will address both the “to what extent” and “why” parts of the question.

To what extent? Are we headed on the same trajectory as BNW (in the same direction)? To what extent, yes vs. no?
Why? Are we being propelled down our path by the same driving forces as in BNW? Describe the similarities and differences.

· Identify key general themes, not tiny peripheral matters.

Evaluation criteria

· Provides clear thesis and coherent, well-reasoned argument.

· Makes thoughtful, incisive, non-obvious points.

· Supports points with relevant evidence and specific examples.

· Stays focused; is concise; doesn’t confuse the reader with vague, fuzzy words, sloppy sentences, or irrelevant points.

Advice

· Reread this assignment after you have written your paper. Did you actually address it, fully?

· Do your best on the first version; it is not just a “draft.” You will regret it at rewrite time if you treat it as just a rough draft.

· Study these: Sample comments on Paper 1 (first version) from previous semesters. These comments focus on crucial *general* matters, such as having an argument and expressing it effectively.