Johns Hopkins University
Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy
Johns Hopkins University

Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy

8,165 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.2

(75 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
13 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.2

(75 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
13 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

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Assessments

2 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in this course

What's included

1 video1 reading1 discussion prompt

We start the course by learning a bit about the history and context of the development of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology in the 1970s, the ethics and policy issues raised by that science, and how those issues remain with us today in synthetic biology. The work of the week includes lecture videos, readings, and an interview with LeRoy Walters, who was involved in the discussions and debates about rDNA in its early years. The week will conclude with a quiz.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

In Week 2 we will learn about and discuss gain of function (GOF) research and the dual-use concerns raised by synthetic biology. The work of the week includes lecture videos, a number of outside videos, and readings. The assessment this week will be your first peer-assessed project, and will focus on identifying ethical duties related to GOF research policy.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

This week, we’ll learn about biofuels, the complex task of balancing the many ethical issues they raise, and the role of synthetic biology in biofuels development. The work of the week includes lecture videos, one outside video, readings, and an interview with Deborah Scott about biofuels governance. The week will conclude with a quiz.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

This week we will learn a bit about applications of synthetic biology to human health, and the ethics of human subjects research. The work of the week includes lecture videos, one outside video, and readings. The assessment this week will be your second peer-assessed project, and will build on your first project, from Week 2. This project will focus on identifying stakeholders in a policy decision, their interests in the decision, and the related ethical duties of the decision-maker.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In the final week of the course, we will talk about both models of governance for emerging biotechnologies and the role of public engagement in the development and oversight of the science. The work of the week includes lecture videos, one outside video, and readings, as well as interviews with LeRoy Walters and Jane Calvert. The final course project builds on the Week 2 and 4 peer-assessed projects, and goes a step further, asking you to develop and defend a decision-making process for a government policy related to the release of genetically modified mosquitoes.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.7 (15 ratings)
Debra JH Mathews, PhD, MA
Johns Hopkins University
1 Course8,165 learners

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Recommended if you're interested in Public Health

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4.2

75 reviews

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AH
5

Reviewed on Nov 5, 2020

JS
4

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2019

AN
5

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2018

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