GEB312 - Genetics and Bioethics

Subject Title
Genetics and Bioethics

Subject Description
GEB312 is a one semester course (3 hrs per week) dealing with some of the more important philosophical and practical issues confronting the veterinary technician.

The commercial exploitation of plants and animals is not a recent phenomenon. Horticulture and agriculture, for example, have been practised since ancient times. This course, however, will concentrate on the application of molecular biology to cellular manipulation. You study recombinant DNA technology and other forms of genetic engineering, antibody and drug production, tissue culturing, plant and animal breeding programmes, and the ethical and legal issues surrounding various types of genetic research. Accordingly, you will appreciate a scientific activity which directly affects medicine, agriculture, a multitude of business activities, as well as the environment itself.

Following an introduction to animal genetics, the second half of the course will deal with the ethics of animal breeding programs and animal research.

The animal rights movement has recently raised a number of important issues which pertain to the care and treatment of animals. This course will provide veterinary technician students with a forum for discussing these issues. Accordingly, it is proposed to examine the legal aspects of animal care, including the use of animals for research purposes and the possible use of alternative approaches, as well as the aims and objectives of the various animal rights groups. In addition, the course will examine the relative merits of animal breeding programmes and factory farming methods. Lastly, the domestication of animals and the concept of "companion animals" will be evaluated.

Credit Status
One credit in the Veterinary Technician Program.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1) describe the benefits and the risk of the biotechnological revolution;
2) describe how scientific practitioners manipulate living materials such as:
a) animal cells and tissues
b) plant cells and tissues:
3) identify the useful and detrimental metabolic products of microorganisms;
4) describe the principles behind genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology;
5) demonstrate an ability to determine the inheritance patterns animals using
Mendelian principles such as:
a) single factor inheritance patterns
b) multiple factor inheritance patterns
c) sex-linked traits
d) describe the major chromosomal abnormalities in animals
6) describe the ethical and legal complications of biotechnology such as:
a) restrictions on confidentiality and disclosure
b) surrogate motherhood
c) embryo transplants in humans and animals
d) patenting of animals and plants
e) scientific benefits of DNA technology
7) describe our current attitudes and perceptions with regard to animals.
8) describe how animals have been bred for food, sport and for companionship.
9) describe typical breeding management programs in parks, game farms and zoos.
10) describe how animals are utilized in biomedical research.
11) discuss the question, "Do animals have rights?"

Cheating and Plagiarism
Each student should be aware of the College's policy regarding Cheating and Plagiarism. Seneca's Academic Policy will be strictly enforced.

To support academic honesty at Seneca College, all work submitted by students may be reviewed for authenticity and originality, utilizing software tools and third party services. Please visit the Academic Honesty site on http://library.senecacollege.ca for further information regarding cheating and plagiarism policies and procedures.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecacollege.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Disabilities Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.