Stem Cells, Perfect Genes, and The Ideal:
Course Theme as presented on the Honors Home Page:
"This course will explore views on what it means to be an optimal organism, a
superior species, a perfect plant, an ideal individual. Together, we will
examine the machinery of life and answer the question, “what makes us more than
the sum of our parts?” The majority of the course will be dedicated to studying
humans and our quest to become “the ideal.” Advances in science and medicine
have created new paths to attain the “ideal” and satisfy our deepest human
desires: perfect health, superior performance, younger bodies, happy souls,
better children, and more. How we with modern science and medicine are engaged
in fulfilling human desires will be discussed in class, studied at off campus
sites, and experienced through hands-on activities. Technical, moral, ethical,
social, and legal challenges that accompany the quest for “the ideal” will be
studied and debated throughout the course" (Draves).
Group Theme as presented on our Braintrust Home Page:
"Our collective presentation will incorporate how nature optimizes organisms’ reproduction and survival success. Furthermore, we will discuss the ways in which humans have developed processes in order to improve their lot in life through mean of genetic manipulation. We hope to provide a better understanding of the machinery of life and the human quest to attain the ideal."
Individual Topic (Stem Cell) Theme:
By utilizing stem cell technology, scientists can hopefully correct the "mistakes" and improve upon the progress that nature has made and bring humans closer to our notion of what the "ideal" human may be.
Full Circle- Relationship Among The Three:
The course theme was to explore what humanity considers "the ideal" and how we have pursued it.
My group theme was to explore the correlation between this pursuit and the notion of perfect genes. How we, as humans, have utilized biotechnology (Genetic Engineering, Stem Cell Research) to attempt to perfect genes (GMOs, Stem Cells), to correct the mistakes made by nature (Evolution, Intelligence) based on what our idea of "the ideal" really is.
My individual theme was to explore how humanity has pursued the ideal by utilizing stem cell research, in particular, to attain the "ideal gene"- bringing us one step closer to humanity's overall notion of the ideal.
All in all, the three tie together in that they all explore humanity's pursuit to attain the ideal.
*This site was create for a Monmouth College honors course*