Ethics at the Frontiers of Science
This course is an introduction to ethical issues raised by cutting-edge developments in science, especially in the areas of stem cell research and therapy, neurosciences, and computing technology and robotics.
The first two weeks of this course are devoted to an introduction to ethical theory, and the remainder of the course will consider specific ethical issues relating to recent advances in science. Topics include memory enhancement and erasure, brain and self and freedom and responsibility, the distinction between therapy and enhancement, life span extension, from smart drugs to smart brains, the promises and perils of stem cell research, egg and embryo donation, designer babies, robotic ethics, cyborgs, search engine ethics, the Web and the ownership and distribution of knowledge.