Honors

Health & Society, Policy & Social Justice 2005-2006

Bioethics

In 2005, ten Honors students convened in a Think Tank to consider the ethical implications of new genetic technologies. With the guidance of Dr. Ray Gesteland, Dr. Peggy Battin, and Utah's leading geneticists, they explored dilemmas in genetic research and discussed how available science and technology might be ethically applied to benefit everyone.

Members of the Think Tank recognized the need for better education in genetic science and its ethical implications. They concluded that because the University is a world leader in genetic research, it has an obligation to fulfill this educational need. As a result, the Think Tank students designed a Genetics and Society course and presented it to the University for approval. The new course instructs students in the basics of genetics and provides an ethical framework for analyzing the social implications of genetic advancements.

The course was groundbreaking on many fronts, primarily because it was initiated and designed by students in the Honors Think Tank. First offered as an Honors course in Fall 2006, it became a first-time collaboration between the Departments of Biology and Philosophy, co-taught by Dr. Bryan Benham (Philosophy) and Dr. M. Wayne Davis (Biology). The Think Tank achieved its primary goal—Genetics and Society has been permanently added to the university catalog, cross-listed as an offering in Philosophy, Biology, and Honors.

The team of students came from a variety of disciplines, ranging from Finance to Philosophy to Anthropology. Their diverse perspectives helped them design a course that allows all learners to explore interdisciplinary viewpoints while developing a common ground for communication in both genetics and ethics. The Think Tank concluded that it is not enough for only the scientific community to consider the ethical issues of genetic technologies—the general population must also be better prepared to make informed decisions about the use of these advancements.

The resulting Genetics and Society course serves as a reliable source of scientific information, helps dispel misconceptions about new genetic technologies, and facilitates public decision-making about personal medicine and public policy.