HSCI-223: Bioissues

Biology is promised to be the technology of the 21st century, where breakthroughs in science and engineering will offer longer, healthier lives and cleaner, more sustainable technologies. This course focuses on the history and potential futures of biomedicine and biotechnology, with particular emphasis on the social and political contexts of the science. Case studies will explore topics in evolution and ecology, microscopy and cellular imaging, DNA sequencing and genomics, sex, gender, and reproduction, genetic engineering and agriculture, tissue engineering, and neuroscience. Course material will span from reading of scientific texts to analysis of work by bioartists critically engaging with the contemporary biosciences. The course is intended as a broad introduction to issues in biology and bioart; previous coursework in biology is not required.