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Syllabus pdf This course addresses economic, environmental, legal, and social-justice dimensions of new biotechnologies. In 2002, it will focus on agricultural genetic engineering: whether and how transgenic crops and genomics may—or may not—be key to reducing hunger and rural poverty and mitigating the negative environmental effects of industrialized agriculture in developing and developing countries. Readings about the economic and cultural significance of food and farming will frame this question in the context of transitions to development and globalization. The course includes a brief survey of genetic engineering science and its applications and considers different points of view about the benefits and risks of genetically altered organisms for people, ecosystems, and biodiversity. We look at the political economy of biotech research and development in the private and public sector, the changing structure of the “life industry”, and the controversial role of patents on living things and scientific knowledge. We examine why biotechnology, intellectual property rights to genetic resources, and bio-prospecting are at the center of international disputes among developing and industrialized countries. We also consider the effects of ideas about biotechnology. How are the concepts and practices of biotechnology shaped by the socio-economic contexts in which science is carried out? What are the precedents and consequences of molecular-genetic determinism? Why do some scientists argue that the concept of “gene” is obsolete? What is known, and what remains unknown, now that human, animal, and plant genomes are being mapped? How does biotechnology discourse—for example, the metaphor of the “genetic code”—affect public opinion and policy? Readings, lectures, student presentations, guest lectures, and class discussions will address controversial choices faced by scientists, public officials, farmers, consumers, NGOs, and global governance agencies such as the World Trade Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Three 6-10 page papers on selected course topics will serve as take-home examinations. Some background social ecology and ecology and basic biology/genetics is helpful but not essential. Biotechnology: Environmental, Social, and International Dimensions Weekly topics Sep 10 What is at issue and what is at stake in biotechnology disputes? Sep 17 Anatomy of a controversy: Transgenic corn, suspect science, the US economy and "genetic contamination" in Mexico Sep 24 From molecular biology to genetic engineering and genomics Guest lecture by a genetic engineer Oct 1 The birth of molecular biology, the concept of the gene, agendas of genetics First short paper due Oct 15 Agricultural genetic engineering: food crops and pharming Oct 22 Risks of transgenic crops; agro-ecosystems and the natural environment Oct 29 Political economy of biotechnology industries Nov 12 Biotechnology and intellectual property Second short paper due Nov 5 International disputes about biotechnology and genetic resources Nov 19 Can biotechnology feed the world? The case of Africa Dec 2 Bioprospecting, biopiracy; new social movements for resource rights Final short paper due 5 PM December 18 Extra-credit literature reviews accepted up to 5 PM December 21 |