總述
這課程探索美國科學家面對改變中的政治抉擇和道德困境，從二戰後的原子能科學家到當今的生物學家，後者正與克隆和其它生物科技帶來的問題較量。我們自問如面臨相同選擇時，會如何應對；通過歷史和政治背景來看科學家，儘量理解他們作做的選擇。一些涉及的主題包括：核武器的最初發展以及轟炸廣島和長崎；冷戰對美國科學的影響；辯論核能和殺蟲劑的風險；對瀕危病人使用放射性試驗，以及中央情報局用麥角二乙胺（迷幻劑LSD）操縱不知情參與者的意識；保密對科學的作用；愛滋病激進分子敵視醫藥研究人員的嘗試和折磨；人類基因組計劃、人類複製（克隆）、胚胎幹細胞研究和設計嬰兒的爭論。
要求
除了課堂授課，上課時還有錄像播放。只要班級人數允許，會有相當多班上討論，學生來上課時應該準備好參加討論。這就是說上課前要閱讀。要求準時上課，這會受監察。課程要求還包含了三篇7頁的論文和一次期末考試。
評分
課程總成績按以下比重决定：
Table for Grading
| 第一篇論文成績 |
20% |
| 第二篇論文成績 |
20% |
| 第三篇論文成績 |
20% |
| 課堂參與 |
15% |
| 期末考試成績 |
25% |
必需課本
Marks, John.〈尋找滿州候選人：中央情報局和意識控制〉New York, NY: Random House, 1979. ISBN: 0812907736. （編註：《滿州候選人The Manchurian Candidate》是一部1959年的流行小說，故事是說美國士兵在韓戰期間被俘，經思想洗腦後回到美國，靜待控制者隨時發號施令，而被洗腦者不知道思想已被控制。小說於1962和2004年兩度拍成電影「諜影迷魂」。）
崔西‧季德《愛無國界：法默醫師的傳奇故事》錢基蓮譯，天下文化，2005年正體譯本
傑若米‧雷夫金《第二個創世紀》李文昭譯，晨星出版，1999年正體譯本
Overview
This class explores the changing political choices and ethical dilemmas of American scientists from the atomic scientists of World War II to biologists in the present wrestling with the questions raised by cloning and other biotechnologies. As well as asking how we would behave if confronted with the same choices, we try to understand the choices scientists have made by seeing them in their historical and political contexts. Some of the topics covered include: the original development of nuclear weapons and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the effects of the Cold War on American science; debates on the riskiness of nuclear power and pesticides; radiation experiments on terminally ill patients and CIA mind-control experiments with LSD on unwitting participants; the effects of secrecy on science; the trials and tribulations of medical researchers confronted by AIDS activists; and debates on the human genome project, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and designer babies.
Requirements
Besides lectures, there are videos shown during class. As far as the class size permits, there is also considerable class discussion, and students should come prepared to participate in these discussions. That means doing the reading before class. Regular attendance is required and monitored. Course requirements also include three 7 page papers, and a final exam.
Grading
The final course grade is determined as follows:
Table for Grading
| First Paper Grade |
20% |
| Second Paper Grade |
20% |
| Third Paper Grade |
20% |
| Class Participation |
15% |
| Final Exam Grade |
25% |
Required Texts
Marks, John. The Search for the Manchurian Candidate: The CIA and Mind Control. New York, NY: Random House, 1979. ISBN: 0812907736.
Kidder, Tracy. Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer. New York, NY: Random House, 2003. ISBN: 0375506160.
Rifkin, Jeremy. The Biotech Century. New York, NY: Penguin, 1998. ISBN: 075380848X.
