|
The relationship of this project to Biotechnology and Human Values
|
|
| Microbial
forensics is highly related to Biotechnology and Human Values because of its
connection to terrorism. A large portion of class time was dedicated
to learning about bioterrorism and possible bioterrorist weapons. We
also had a mock Congressional Hearing to discuss what "mechanism" the U.S.
should perceive as the most threatening bioterrorist weapon. To go
along with the hearing, the class was designed to read three executive
summaries from the National Academies Press. The articles were all
dealing with terrorism and possible ways to make the nation safer. The
summaries were
Making the Nation Safer,
Countering
Bioterrorism: The Role of Science and Technology, and
Biological
Threats and Terrorism. Microbial forensics is a possible way to help make the nation safer. By using microbial forensics to develop either a national or international database of pathogens that could be used as a bioterrorist weapon, the nation will be improving its means to prevent, deter, & react to bioattacks. Microbial forensics also strengthens the investigation and prosecution of crimes that involve pathogens being used as weapons.
|
|
|
The psychology of terrorism ties into the theme of Biotechnology and Human
Values just as microbial forensics does. A large portion of the class
is dedicated to bioterrorism and bioterrorist agents. The psychology
of terrorism studies those who use terrorism or bioterrorism. It also
studies how terrorism can effect the population and how the population can
overcome it psychologically. By learning about the psychology of
terrorism, the class was able to gain an incite into not just the act of
terrorism itself but the terrorists. Another aspect that ties the psychology of terrorism to biotechnology is the possibility of research. By researching, scientists could possibly discover a biological or genetic aspect that coordinates with all terrorists. Perhaps it could be a gene that promotes aggression and violence. If this were the case, then there could be a way to alter this genetic aspect so that people are not prone to becoming terrorists. Also through research, scientist may be able to develop a medication that could prevent people who are prone to becoming irrational, aggressive, and violent from turning into terrorists.
|
|
Click on the picture to go home
This is a site created for Biotechnology and Human Values (ISSI470), an academic course at Monmouth College.
