Program in Science, Technology, and Society

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

STS.011

American Science: Ethical Conflicts and Political Choices

(HASS-D, Category 2)

Fall 2003

Contact Information:

Instructor: Eric D. Kupferberg, Ph.D. Lecturer on the History of Science

E51-296 (Office Hours: Wednesdays 5:30-6:30)

617-417-3892 (cell) edkupfer@mit.edu

Teaching Fellows: Nate Greenslit, E51-070 npg@mit.edu

Anne Pollock, E51-070 apollock@mit.edu

Aslihan Sanal, E51-098 sanal@mit.edu

Stellar Site (Evolving!): http://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/STS/fa03/sts.011/index.html

Lecture Times: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sections Times: Thursday 10 a.m.; Thursdays 11 a.m.; Thursdays 1 p.m.

Course Description:

We will explore 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 will try to understand the choices scientists have made by seeing them in their historical and political contexts. Besides lectures, class will include ocassional videos and guest speakers. 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; radiation experiments on terminally ill patients; medical experiments on poor black patients with syphilis; whistleblowing; the effects of secrecy on science; the trials and tribulations of medical researchers confronted by AIDS activists; the human genome project; human cloning; and plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty.

Requirements and Grading:

Attendance is expected at all lectures and discussion sections. Participation in section accounts for 20% of the final grade. Students should completed assigned readings in time for class to maximize fruitful discussion. The participation grade includes leading section at least once. There are three paper assignments, with the first paper (3-4 pages) being worth 10% of your grade, the second paper (5-7 pages) being worth 20%, and the final paper (10-12 pages) accounting for 25% of the grade. The final exam amounts to 25% of the term grade. Consistent effort and improvement will be given extra weight in grading.

Do Not Purchase Any Books from the COOP!!! All reading materials will be posted on Stellar.

First Section: What Is So Ethical or Political about Science?

Sept. 3^rd -- Introduction: “Why Scientists and Engineers Might Care about Ethics and Politics”

Sept. 10^th -- Historical Roots of “Disinterested” Experts in America

Sept. 17^th – Ethics Begins in the Home: Error, Fraud and Misconduct in Science

**** First Paper Due in Section

Second Section: the New Art of War: Science and Military

Sept. 24^th -- Chemical and Biological Warfare, or “Paths Not Taken”?

Oct. 1^st -- Manhatten Project, and the Decision to Bomb Hiroshima & Nagasaki

Oct. 8^th -- The Hydrogen Bomb and the Cold War Arms Race

Third Section: Cute Animals and Ugly Humans

Oct. 15^th -- Animal Subjects, Vivasections, and Ethical Safeguards

Oct. 22^nd -- Subjecting Humans and Consenting Adults

*** Second Paper Due in Section

Fourth Section: Risky Businesses and Tattle-tails

Oct. 29^th -- Polluting Environments and Contaminating Bodies

Nov. 5^th -- Big Disasters and Apportioning Blame: Challenger and Chernobyl

 Fifth Section: Big Science and Big Money

Nov. 12^th -- Commercializing Science & Patenting Life: Nature^TM

Nov. 19^th – Be Fruitful and Mulitiply: Governing Reproductive Technologies

Sixth Section: Science and Government -- Politics by Another Name?

Dec. 3^rd -- Listening to Experts: Legislative, Executive and Judical Structures

*** Third Paper Due in Section

Dec. 10^th -- No Thanks! Disregarding Advice on the Economy and Global Warming