Neuroethics is defined as “the study of the ethical, legal, and social questions that arise when scientific findings about the brain are carried into medical practice, legal interpretations, and health and social policy.”. In our exploration of Neuroethics we conduct a web tour that includes the following topics: Neuroanatomy, Neuroimaging, Neurogenetics, Neurotechnology, Neuropharmacology, and Chemical Neuroenhancement.

Third party reproduction is a complex process and the most controversial form of third-party reproduction is known as surrogate (or contract) motherhood. Just who gets involved in this type of third party assisted reproduction? What does the future hold for Reproductive Technology? What are other types of third party ART? Let’s find out!

Stem cell biology is an active area of science research with political and social implications. It is important that you understand the scientific basis of stem cells and their potential therapeutic and regenerative applications. There has been a lot of hope for the future of stem cell research. Scientists in many different areas look forward to finding treatments and cures for many disabling and fatal diseases.

What is the role of ethics in research with human participants? There are several ethical issues that must be considered when designing research that will utilize participants who are human beings. As part of this Jog, you will review how these ethical concerns are being addressed using legal provisions that regulate participant safety, informed consent, and confidentiality.

Complete this web tour to review the 3R of animal research and connect them to regulations surrounding research. Then examine the animals used and why animals are used. Finally, relate way in which animal research has benefited people and animals.

This web tour begins by reviewing the history of plant breeding. That is followed by a look at the science that allows us to genetically engineer crops. We end our web tour with a look at evaluation and regulation of genetically engineering crops.

A potential approach to the treatment of genetic disorders in humans is gene therapy. How does gene therapy work? What tools and techniques are used? What are some challenges involved with gene therapy? These are some of the questions we will look to answer as we tour the web for gene therapy.

Completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project (HGP) was a 13-year project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The HGP was a culmination of the development of molecular biology from the 1940s to the present. The HGP has catalyzed the multi-billion-dollar U.S. biotechnology industry and has fostered the development of new tools and applications. Let’s explore the HGP, the history that lead to the HGP, the tools utilized to sequence the human genome and what the HGP has done for you lately!

This web exploration tackles end of life issues. Euthanasia is defined as “good death” and it involves the principles involved in providing “good death to a terminally ill patient”. As part of this tour we will clarify important terminology related to end of life issues such as DNR, PVS, advanced directive and living wills. We will also define the different types of euthanasia and work to develop an awareness of moral dilemmas involved in assisted deaths.

Organ transplantation is an option of modern surgery yielding hope for chronically ill patients, and, at the same time, stirring controversial ethical questions on human identity and the meaning of the human body. This web tour will review major organ systems and tissues that can be transplanted and various diseases that impact these systems. We will also explore the basic scientific and medical concepts that enable physicians to transplant an organ or tissue from one person into another. Finally we will look at allocation of scare resources and what the future holds.