Unit 1

Fundamentals of Ethics: Historical persona and evolution of free thought, basic concepts of modern ethics- autonomy, rights, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, animal rights, environmental protection etc. The complex nature of human society and role of ethics, right to information, conflicts in pillars of ethics and decision making, ethical committee’s role, etc.

Unit 2

Case studies and issues in Bioethics: GMOs and transgenic animals, silicon womb, IVF, cloning humans, savior siblings, designer babies, allotransplantation, stem cell research, sexing the unborn, sex discrimination, monopolizing economy and starvation, biodiversity, gene therapy, clinical trials, etc.

Unit 3

Classifications & procedures of IPR: IPR in ancient societies, Pasteur, Chakrabarti and Leder of modern times, International cooperation; IPR and IPP – patents, copyrights, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs and other forms of IPRs and their classifications + scopes. General methods, procedures, obligations and implications involved in IPR & IPP, licensing and infringements.

Unit 4

Bio businesses: Patents for higher organisms – patenting transgenic organisms (plant breeder’s rights and farmer’s rights, PVP versus plant patenting etc.), higher animals and isolated genes, bioprospecting and biopiracy (neem, turmeric, basmati etc.), constructive utilization of traditional knowledge systems, PGR, IGF, UPOV etc. The classification of biobusinesses, the kind of money and the equations involved, successes and failures and reasons, entrepreneurship, etc.

Course Objectives:

• Develop a deep understanding of the fundamentals of ethics, including the historical evolution of free thought, modern ethical concepts, and the role of ethics in complex human societies.
• Analyze and critically evaluate case studies and issues in ethics, covering topics such as GMOs, transgenic animals, IVF, cloning, stem cell research, and various ethical dilemmas in biotechnology and healthcare.
• Gain knowledge of the classifications and procedures of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
• Explore the intersection of bioethics and business, understanding the patenting of higher organisms, bioprospecting, biopiracy, and the utilization of traditional knowledge systems in bio-businesses and entrepreneurship.

Course Outcomes:

After completing this course, students should be able to
CO1: Critically apply principles in the context of ethics, understanding the complexities of decision-making in healthcare and biotechnology.
CO2: Evaluate contemporary bioethical issues, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the ethical implications of advanced biotechnological advancements.
CO3: Comprehend the classifications and procedures of IPR, enabling them to navigate and understand the legal and ethical dimensions of intellectual property in the context of biotechnology and medical engineering.
CO4: Assess the ethical and legal aspects of businesses, including patents for higher organisms, bioprospecting, and the entrepreneurial landscape in the medical sector.

CO-PO mapping

1. Genetic counselling, Diane.L.Baker, Wiley-Liss publications.
2. Genetics, society and clinical practice,(1997),Peter Harper, Bios scientific publishers Ltd.UK
3.  Intellectual Property Rights, Bioethics, Biosafety and Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology by Sibi G. (2020).
4. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/932/wipo_pub_b932ipb.pdf