BIOETHICS - Leadership Decisions for the 21st Century
Professor: Sam Rhodes, Ph.D. - Barnes 204
tel: 738-8305, Home phone: 736-4407, EMAIL - srhodes@franklincollege.edu
Web Page: http://biology.franklincollege.edu/Bioweb/Biology/course_p/bioethics/essentials.htm
Overview
In this course students will explore ethical issues relating to medicine and scientific research. Each
topic will be examined using a values-based analysis, and awareness of leadership principles.
Emphasis will be on decision-making, and conflict management. Specific topics will include:
 use of humans in research
 reproductive technologies
 “end of life issues,” and
 topics concerning embryos, cloning and genetic engineering.
The course will rely on readings, videos, class activities, and journaling assignments to stimulate
discussion. The course grading will be based on quizzes, exams, homework assignments, a “DecisionMaking Analysis” and participation in all activities. Prerequisite: BIO 114 or BIO 115 (or
equivalents)
Required Reading
All reading assignments are available on the course website in electronic format.
Objectives
Students will:
1. define the scope and purpose of bioethics.
2. recognize the contributions of several classical ethicists to our understanding of human values in
Western culture.
3. describe several personal values that allow the student to define "humanness," and distinguish
"humanness" from "life."
4. outline and apply a constructive model for decision-making in a bioethical context.
5. recognize, and/or describe, current technologies being used (and developed) to sustain life, to
facilitate reproduction, to culture and grow tissues, and to modify genetics.
6. cite and explain the relevance of specific case-studies which have defined the laws and
controversies surrounding bioethical issues.
7. explain how changes in DNA and chromosomal inheritance relate to various diseases.
8. compare and contrast the laws and values relating to "end-of-life" decisions.
Evaluation
Two Exams
Best 5 out of 6 quizzes
Journal Assignments
“Decision-Making Analysis” Essay
Class Participation
Final Exam
200 points
100 points
80 points
50 points
30 points
120 points
580 points
Your final grade in the course will be determined by adding up all earned points, subtracting any
penalties, and dividing by 580.
A = 93-100%, A- = 90-92%, B+ = 87-89%, B = 83-86%, B- = 80-82%, C+ = 77-79%, C = 73-76%,
C- 70-72%, D+ = 67-69%, D = 63-66%, D- = 60-62%, F = below 60%
The professor reserves the right to adjust a final grade upward by as much as 2%. This adjustment will
rarely happen and is not negotiable.
Journal Entries
During this course, each student must keep a continuous journal of his/her notes and responses to
readings and class activities. The journal must be written on loose-leaf paper and kept in a binder. The
journals will be collected at least three times; and possibly more often. To obtain a satisfactory grade
(C or better), there must be clear evidence that you have written in the journal weekly, that you are
knowledgeable about the content of assigned readings, and that you have taken time to respond to the
assigned readings with your own thoughts and ideas. Responses to class activities and questions about
course content are also strongly encouraged.
Penalties
Class participation is an essential part of this course. Students are expected to complete readings in
advance and come to class prepared to participate. Missing more than three class meetings will result
in a loss of 60 points. Under most circumstances the student must be in class on quiz and exam dates.
"Makeups" will not be given unless arrangements are made in advance, or a genuine emergency has
occurred. Documentation for the emergency must be provided.
HOMWORK #1 - Journal
Go to the course website and download a copy of "Introduction and History of Ethics" from the
“Assignments” page. Then answer the following questions in your journal. Be ready to discuss these
on Monday. BE SURE TO LOOK AT THE GRADING RUBRIC ON THE LAST PAGE.
1. What did the early Greeks mean when they used the term ethica aretai?
2. What are the “cardinal virtues” of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle?
3. What was the fundamental ethical difference between Hippocrates and the other Greeks?
4. What are examples of values brought to the practice of medicine by Christians?
5. What are examples of “natural law” values recommended by Aquinas?
6. What is meant by the “double effect?” Use the example of abortion to explain this idea.
7. Explain what is meant by “duty” from the point of view of Immanuel Kant.
8. What is the central idea of “Utilitarianism?”
9. Skip the “Principles and Medical Ethics” section
10. What are two examples of “Feminist Ethics?”
11. What are your reactions to the first day of class and your first reading assignment?
DATE
CLASS TOPIC
Feb. 2
Class starts
Thurs.
Introduction to the Course
Define Bioethics, Discuss the range of topics.
Biology Course - support position with evidence
Explain Journals: bring journals to class every day.
Rules of respect and civility
Planning to see "Extreme Measures"
Reading for Monday: Introduction and History of Ethics (week 1 and assignments page)
As you start your journal, be sure to write a brief summary of important elements for each, major
philosophical group. Can you give an example of a situation that reflects the essence of each philosophical
school?
Feb. 6-10
A Brief History of Philosophy and Ethics
Reading for Tues., Feb. 9th: "Humans as Research Subjects" + reading guide web, week 2
Discussion of "Extreme Measures" Movie and Tuskegee Syphilis Study on Thursday
Assignment for Monday: Go to website of a professional organization and find the "Ethics Statement."
Record a few of the important points from the ethics statement and then identify what is being "valued" by
the organization. Do they value "honesty," "minimizing suffering (in humans or animals)," "service to one's
community," etc.
QUIZ
Feb. 13-17
Feb. 20-24
QUIZ
Feb. 27Mar.2
EXAM
Mar. 5-9
Values in the Personal, Professional, and Community Realms
Class Exercises - Reading and Case studies
Reading for Tuesday/Thursday: "Transplantation Ethics" - web, week 3
Discovering Personal Values Exercises
Discussion of "Transplantation and Ethics"
Reading for Monday: "A Framework for Ethical Decision-Making"
Ethical Decision-Making
Reading for Tuesday: "Stop Futile Medical Treatment"
Applying the Decision-making matrix
Reading for Monday: When Does Human Life Begin?
When Does Human Life Begin?
Reading for Tuesday: Fetal Brain Behavior and Cognitive Development
EXAM ON THURSDAY
Reading for Monday: "Stem Cell Basics" and Animated, Interactive, Stem Cell Tutorial
Stem Cell Biology
Reading for Thursday: Stem Cells Recent Articles
Reading for Monday and Tuesday: Chapter on Animal Cloning Techniques, Successes, Concerns
Mar. 12-16
QUIZ
Mar. 19-23
Cloning Biology and Issues
Reading for Thursday: The Cloning Debate
Cloning Video in Class
Reading for Monday: Indiana Advance Directive Forms and Do Not Resuscitate Form
Parent Interview Homework Assignment
End of Life Decisions
Indiana Law and Consequences
Reading for Thursday: Hospice Manual for Physicians
Mar. 26-30
History of Euthanasia
Reading for Tuesday: Personal Dying and Medical Death
Reading for Thursday: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
PARENT INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT DUE ON THURSDAY
Reading for the next two weeks: "Medical Biotechnology (Gene Therapy etc.)"
Apr. 2-6
SPRING BREAK
QUIZ
Apr. 9-13
EXAM
Gene Therapy
Reading for Monday: "Gene Therapy Breakthroughs 2009"
EXAM ON THURSDAY
Apr. 16-20
Gene Therapy
Bioengineering Video for Tuesday
For Monday: Basic Review of Male and Female Reproductive Systems
Apr. 23-27
Reproductive Biology
Reading for Tues. and Thurs.: Definitions and Methods of Testing for Fertility and ART methods.
Video Describing the Steps and Methods for in vitro Fertilization and ICSI
QUIZ
Apr. 30 –
May 4
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
"Making Babies Video" in class
Readings for Thursday: "Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Women's Justice."
Readings For Monday:"Should Performance-Enhancing Drugs Be Legal?"
May 7-11
Bioethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs
QUIZ
May 14-17
EXAM WEEK
Name ________________________________________________
Journal Grading
1. React to class experiences
cite specific examples
explain contrasting points of view or arguments
express your reactions, thoughts, concerns
2. Show evidence of having completed the reading
state specific details and important points in the reading assignments
analyze and react to the content of the reading
ask questions about the reading
3. Respond to specific homework questions