Ethics in Biosciences, a ten week online course, has been designed to help students reflect on and engage with some of the key ethical and social issues thrown up by biological science and technology
Through guided readings, online discussion, case studies and other activities participants will consider the social and ethical implications of increases in life span, cloning, genetic modification, genetic differences in race and gender, clinical trials in the developing world, eugenics, private markets in organs for transplant and the ownership of human tissue.
The course was created by Marianne Talbot, director of studies in philosophy for the department of continuing education.
She adds: "These days science students cannot afford to be oblivious to the ethical and social issues surrounding their subjects.
"The online course in bioethics is designed especially for science graduates with no background in philosophy.
"All who complete it will find that they can discuss these issues with confidence".
This course is organised by the Oxford Bioinformatics Programme.
