Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS
COURSE TITLE
SOCIAL ISSUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(Isu-isu Sosial dalam Bioteknologi)
COURSE CODE
STB3092
CREDIT
2
PREREQUISITE/S
none
SYNOPSIS
The course is aimed at instilling a general understanding of the
impacts of modern biotechnology and the socio-economic
developments of the developed as well as under-developed
countries and societies of the world. Proven and potential
benefits as well as possible risks of the new technology to
mankind, other living things and the environment in general are
examined. Ethical, moral, religious and other direct and indirect
implications of novel techniques employed in the genetic
manipulations of microorganisms, plants and animals are
discussed. Safety aspects associated with research and
applications of biotechnology are also covered. The pros and
cons of major biotechnological advances including the human
genome project, cloning of farm animals and gene
transplantations are debated. In class, selected topics are
presented as triggers to initiate a free-flow discussion and
exchange of opinions, leading to, wherever appropriate, a
consensus. Emphasis is given to students? critical views and
evaluation of pertinent issues based on known scientific facts as
well as general perceptions.
(Kursus ini bertujuan untuk menyediakan pemahaman secara am
berkenaan kesan Bioteknologi moden dan pembangunan
sosio-ekonomi berkaitan dengan Bioteknologi baik di dalam
negara maju mahupun negara membangun serta masyarakat
dunia amnya. Faedah yang telah dibuktikan dan sedang
dinikmati serta potensi risiko teknologi baru ini kepada manusia
sejagat, hidupan lain dan persekitaran secara amnya juga
dibincangkan.
Isu etika, moral, agama serta implikasi teknologi baru yang
diperkenalkan baik secara langsung dan tidak langsung juga
STB3092 Social Issues in Biotechnology
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Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS
diperhalusi dan dibincangkan. Aspek keselamatan dan garis
panduan berkaitan dengan penyelidikan dan aplikasi didalam
Bioteknologi juga diutarakan. Baik atau buruknya dalam
kemajuan Bioteknologi termasuklah projek genom manusia,
pengklonan binatang ternakan, dan transplantasi gen juga
diperdebatkan. Di dalam kelas, topik-topik pilihan dibentangkan
untuk menjana perbincangan secara bebas dan pertukaran
pendapat yang membawa kepada rumusan yang bersesuaian dan
dipersetujui semua. Penekanan diberikan kepada pandangan
kritikal pelajar serta penilaian isu-isu penting yang berdasarkan
kepada fakta saintifik serta persepsi umum.)
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
o Analyse the social, ethical, moral and economic impact of
developments in biotechnology on society. (C4, EM)
o Explain the issues of biotechnological advances, safety and
regulation towards society. (P2, LL)
o Explain and justify the benefits and potential risks of
biotechnology on man and the environment. (A3)
STUDENT
LEARNING
HOURS
Lectures
Tutorials
Student-Centered Learning
Self-Study
Quizzes, Tests, & Examinations
Total
LEARNING
UNITS
1.
2.
STB3092 Social Issues in Biotechnology
21
4
3
47
5
80
Hour/s
Hour/s
Hour/s
Hour/s
Hour/s
Hour/s
Supervised
Learning Hours
Socio-economic impacts
3
-Looking at the intricate connetions between the
economic promise of biotechnology and the impacts
to society.
-Examine the politics and monopoly of
biotechnology between government and companies.
Socio-economic impact
-Issues of IPR, technology ownership, resource
ownership between countries and Biotechnology
companies.
3
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Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS
-Social implications of new technology such as in the
case of DNA fingerprinting.
STB3092 Social Issues in Biotechnology
3.
Socio-economic impact
-Human Rights and Right to Privacy in respect to the
access to biological information and technology.
-The reasoning towards the human genome and other
mega biotechnology projects.
-Assignment on impact of biotech to society
3
4.
Risks and benefits of biotechnology
-Discuss the risks associated with biotechnology
research.
-Perceived versus proven risks.
3
5.
Risks and benefits of biotechnology
-The pros and cons of tempering with nature.
-Potential benefits- do they justify the risks that will
be taken?
-Assignment on risks of new technologies
3
6.
Safety aspects of biotechnology
-Discusses the guidelines and legislations at national
and international levels.
-The use and creation of Bio safety committees in
Malaysia.
2
7.
Safety aspects of biotechnology
-The guidelines and enforcement of the use of
biological and physical containment for gene
research.
-Discusses the guidelines and legislations at national
and international levels.
3
8.
Safety aspects of biotechnology
-The guidelines and enforcement of the use of
biological and physical containment for gene
research.
-Assignment on biosafety in Malaysia and selected
countries.
3
9.
Ethics, moral and control
-Ethics of research, National level ethical committee,
2
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Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS
Institutional ethics and control.
-Personal/professional ethics when conducting
research in plant and human genetic manipulation.
10. Ethics, moral and control
-Moral/religious implications related to products
generated through genetic engineering.
-Control of genetic research through the formation of
institutional guidelines and procedures.
-Discussions on ethical and moral values of
biotechnology use in society.
ASSESSMENT
REFERENCES
STB3092 Social Issues in Biotechnology
Quizzes
Assignments
Mid-semester exam
Final examination
Total
5
25
25
45
100
3
%
%
%
%
%
1.
Atherton K.T. 2002. Genetically modified crops: assessing
safety. London; New York: Taylor (SB123.57)
2.
Ismail. G. Bioresource utilization: the biotechnology
option for Malaysia. Pelanduk. (HD9999 B44 B616)
3.
Letourneau D.K. and Burrows B.E. 2001. Genetically
engineered organisms: assessing environmental and human
health effects. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (QH442.6
G328)
4.
Sasson A. and Costarini V. 1991. Biotechnologies in
perspective: socio-economic implications for developing
countries. Paris: Unesco. (HD9999 B443 B616).
5.
Sasson, A. 1998. Biotechnologies and Development.
UNESCO, Paris. Pp 261-303. (TP248.2 S252)
6.
Tzotzos G.T. 2000. Biotechnology in the developing
world and countries in economic transition. Wallingford:
CABI Pub. (TP248.195 D48)
7.
Vandana, S. 2001. Protect or plunder : Understanding
intellectual property rights. Zed Books. (K1519 B54
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Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS
S558).
Last updated: September 15, 2011, Thu, 3:05 PM
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