260078 Brain doping, genetically modified food and mass extinction: societal issues in the life sciences (GradS) (SoSe 2020)

The rapid advances of life sciences such as molecular biology, neuroscience and ecology have reshaped our ability to manipulate and control organisms. Scientists from these fields often argue that novel technological innovations like gene-editing or new drugs like memory-enhancers can radically disrupt society and change the way we live. Bio- and neuroethicists consequently debate whether we should label genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or whether “brain doping” provides students with unfair advantages. But which of these societal issues is based on real scientific advancements and which debates only reflect the hype surrounding these innovations? In this seminar, we investigate these epistemological and normative aspects raised by GMOs and neuroenhancement. We will read both basic scientific literature and philosophical analyses to learn how we can distinguish between reality and hype of the social impact of the life sciences. In the last part of the seminar, we use these distinctions to analyse the current evidence for the sixth species mass extinction on Earth, which climate activists groups like Extinction Rebellion use to support a more radical response to climate change.

Requirements for participation, required level

The seminar is planned as an online course. It consists of three parts:

(1) ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM

In the first session of each block, you discuss the text with a group in LernraumPlus. The discussion is led by a group moderator (see below), and is possible for one week. The goals are:

(a) Find and discuss core theses of the text
(b) Work out the social implications of the life science issue
(c) Collect open questions and (if possible) answer them

(2) WEBINAR DISCUSSION

Every second and/or third wee we discuss the topic of the block via “Zoom” (*) The seminar is led by the instructor and student moderators. The structure is:

(i) Introductory statement student moderator (5min)
(ii) Impulse session (10min) collecting reading impressions, open questions and critical questions from all participants
(iii) Discussion phase I (15min), where the material from (ii) is being discussed
BREAK (5min)
(iv) Discussion phase II (20min)
(v) Summary statement student moderator (5min)
BREAK (5min)
(vi) Discussion of further open questions (25min)

(3) WEEKLY HANGOUT

This is an informal meeting space via “Zoom” (*), where we can discuss further questions or other issues.

(*) Zoom is a professional online Service for Video group meetings. You need a PC/Laptop/Tablet with a webcam and microfon, a smartphone (Android/IOS) might work as well. The use of Zoom is very easy. You do not need to register via zoom to participate in the webinar. You do not need a zoom account, and no personal data is being requested. You will simply be invited by a host via email.

Bibliography

Farah, M.J., J. Illes, R. Cook-Deegan, et al. 2004. Neurocognitive enhancement: what can we do and what should we do? Nat Rev Neurosci 5(5): 421–425.
Zohny. H. (2015). The Myth of Cognitive Enhancement Drugs. Neuroethics DOI 10.1007/s12152-015-9232-9
Weirich, P. (ed.) (2007). Labeling Genetically Modified Food. The Philosophical and the Legal Debate. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Heldke, L. (2015). Pragmatist Philosophical Reflections on GMOs. J Agric Environ Ethics 28:817–836
Bendik-Keymer, J. and Haufe, C. (2016) Anthropogenic Mass Extinction: The Science, the Ethics, and the Civics. In Gardiner S.M. and Thompson, A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Environmental Ethics.