Genetic Engineering: Who's Driving the Train?
T-Th 11:30 - 12:50, Science 217
Instructors: Laura Stevenson and Todd Smith
In 1953 scientists James Watson and Francis Crick first deduced the structure of DNA, and since then the advances in molecular biology have been staggering. Scientists can make plants resistant to pesticides. Doctors can cure children born with no immune system. Stem cell technology may someday lead to permanent cures for a variety of diseases. But DNA science also raises serious ethical questions. For example, should we release genetically engineered organisms into the environment, and should researchers use human embryos as a source of stem cells? In this course we will explore advances in human understanding of DNA, and the promises and perils associated with scientists' ability to manipulate genetic material. We will examine the personalities driving DNA research, as well as the politics and financial incentives involved.
Credits: this is a four-credit course. Students who sign up for it are expected to write all papers and all in-class assignments, unless other arrangements are specifically made during the first two weeks of term. Barring family emergency or serious health problems, no credits may be dropped after the first week of classes.
Paper grades: the base grade concerns the level of discourse -- the sophistication of the ideas put forward and the clarity with which those ideas are expressed. This grade can be obtained only by consulting with Laura or Todd in person. From the base, we subtract 1 point (out of 100) for each error in grammar, punctuation or spelling, and we record the total number of errors at the end of the paper. Subtracted points on papers 1-3 are re-added to the base grade if the errors are corrected with a tutor within a week of the paper's return. A paper that is going irredeemably wrong should be submitted as is on the day it is due, with a cover page that says HELP! This procedure assures the paper a 68 (D+) and a speedy reading, so the student can meet with me and resubmit it without penalty within three or four days
Papers 1-3 may be revised and resubmitted (once only). Revisions must be submitted on or before the revision due-date to be considered for higher grades. A revised paper will not be accepted unless the student has had a conference with us on the first draft.
Late papers: papers are always due at noon on the day for which they are assigned. A paper is not late if it gets to us before we have left campus. Timely submission of all papers and revisions raises the final grade 1.5 points out of 100.
Late papers are penalized 2 points per day up to 24 points (twelve days). Thereafter, they receive an automatic 60, minus points reduced for errors; they may be revised, but not for a higher grade. One paper extension is granted per semester per student; no extensions on final paper.
Attendance: Perfect, prepared attendance raises the final grade by 1.5 points out of 100. Two (excused) absences are forgiven; a third excused absence lowers the final grade 1 point out of 100. Each absence after that lowers the final grade by 5 points out of 100. In general, we ask students who are chronically unprepared, or who miss more than five classes, to withdraw from the course. The only acceptable excuse for cutting a workshop or coming to one without a paper is a doctor-signed certification of bubonic plague.
Conferences: each student must sign up in class for one conference on each paper. The schedule of conferences will be passed out in class, then posted on Laura’s and Todd’s doors Cutting a conference (as opposed to trading times with somebody else or changing times with prior – i.e., 24-hour – notice) is the equivalent of cutting a class.
Office hours are posted weekly (usually on Thursday afternoons) on the door of D29A and Sci 206; students should sign for appointments. If nobody has signed up, drop in at open hours.
(at the bookstore; with the exception of photocopies marked with an asterisk [*], which will be passed out in class):
- Matt Ridley, Genome
- Daniel Charles, Lords of the Harvest
- Xeroxes (handed out in class)
January 29 The basics. Black angels and genomes. Read Genome, Introduction; look at the Human Genome Project Science online.
January 31 DNA and death row – DNA fingerprinting: how does it work and what can go wrong? Reading handouts.
February 5 The beginnings of genetically engineered food: Lords of Harvest, 1-148
Paper 1 due Wednesday, February 6, at noon in D29A
February 7 Corporate interest and public protest: Lords of Harvest, 148-262
February 12 Conferences – no class
February 14 Profits, prophets, and rhetoric: Lords of Harvest 262-314
February 19 Sentence structure bootcamp
February 21 Is our fate written in our genes? Genome, 1-75
February 26 Defining paper topics: Booth, The Craft of Research, handout 1
February 28 Intelligence, Instinct and Self-interest. Genome, 76-135; collect cell samples for next Tuesday’s “lab time”
March 4 Lab time: human genetic variation
Paper 2 due Wednesday, March 5 at noon in D 29A
March 6 Guest speaker: Brock Reeve, executive director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (tentative date)
March 11 Conferences – no class
March 13 Personality, development, gender : Genome, 161-230
~ Spring Break: March 16-29 ~
April 1 Multiplicity yours, Cloning techniques, chapter 9
Revised copies of papers 1 and 2 due by April 2
April 3 Multiplicity yours, Reproductive human cloning, chapter 10
April 8 Death, Cures, Prevention: Genome, 231-270
Term paper prospectus due Wednesday April 9 at noon in D 29A
April 10 Finding and crediting sources. Librarians will demonstrate strategies. Bibliography workshop; read Handling Sources, and bring it to class
April 15 Marketing genetic research: article from New York Times 11/22/02, other handouts
April 17 Politics, Eugenics, Free Will: Genome, 270-313
April 22 More about writing up research: Booth handout 2, 111-138, 189-207 (there will be a quiz)
April 23 – 1st draft of term paper due
April 24 Lab time: Using PCR to detect GM organisms in food
April 29 No class -- conferences on term paper drafts
May 2, Term papers due: no extensions, no mercy.
May 1 Replacement human organs from stem cells? Reading handout
May 6 Last class: teaching evaluations, return of term papers.
Portfolios are due May 8 at 8:30 in D 38
Paper 1. Due Wednesday February 6 at noon in D29ADNA and death row: Analysis of DNA from crime scenes is now a regular part of police work. But many convicts facing the death penalty went to jail before DNA analysis became accepted as evidence in a court of law. Discuss whether the use of DNA analysis has led to the improved administration of justice for inmates facing the death penalty. 5-7 pages.
Paper 2. Due Wednesday, March 5 at noon in D 29A
Write a 5-6 page paper on some genetically altered food in developing countries and the ethical problems associated with it. To do this, you will need to do research; you must use at least 4 sources, with appropriate bibliographical and footnote references.
Paper 3. Term paper. First draft due Wednesday, April 29: final draft due Friday, May 2 at noon in D 29A. No extensions, no mercy.
Write a research paper on a topic of your choice. You may “double” this paper with aterm paper for another class, if you have the instructor’s written permission. There mustbe at least 4, preferably 6 or 7, sources. Late second drafts will receive an automatic 60.