Behind the Headlines: Scientific Research and Regulations
Behind the Headlines: Scientific Research and Regulations
(26) Behind the Headlines: Scientific Research and Regulations - Sarah Schmidtke Sobeck, Department of Chemistry
Society regulates research for many reasons including ethics and public safety. Many issues in today’s headlines focus on the interface of scientific advancements and regulations on the corresponding industries or research, such as food and pharmaceuticals. We will develop the skills necessary to become informed media consumers, with respect to these issues. This course seeks to make the science accessible and the regulations understandable. Topics for analysis include genetic modification of food, the drug approval process, and use of cells and genetic material in research. We will analyze the presentation of issues in a variety of media and use literature to gain a deeper understanding of the science and policies. For the final research paper and presentation of the term, each student will select an issue of current relevance, and explore its science and regulations using the skills developed throughout the term.