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Unit of study_

BETH5201: Ethics in Health Innovation

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This Unit of Study introduces you to the ethical issues that are raised by health innovation research and practices. After an introduction to ethical reasoning/analysis, you will be guided to critically examine the ethical issues at three main levels. First, at the level of knowledge production, a selection of different forms of health innovation research such as biotechnology, precision medicine, and digital health technology will be considered. We discuss relevant concepts such as risk, harm, autonomy, consent, property in the body, bias, and privacy. Second, at the level of implementation, we will interrogate arguments such as ‘we should implement health innovation in ways that do not exacerbate existing health disparities and inequities’ or ‘public engagement is an ethical requirement for implementing health innovation’. Then, at the third level, we consider the question of how healthcare systems should be (re)designed to foster health innovation. In particular, we investigate the promise and perils of Learning Health Systems. Throughout, topical case studies are used to keep up with recent developments in the field.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BETH5201
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hojjat Soofi, hojjat.soofi@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical Commentary Essay
A critical commentary essay on one of three designated journal articles.
25% Week 06
Due date: 10 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Presentation Recorded Oral Presentation on Critical Commentary Essay
A recorded oral presentation on your Critical Commentary Essay.
20% Week 08
Due date: 24 Sep 2023 at 23:59
10 minutes (with 10% leeway)
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Major Essay
An argumentative essay on one of 7 designated topics or your chosen topic.
35% Week 13
Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation and Engagement
Weekly Online Tasks (9 Online Discussion Forums and 4 Quizzes)
20% Weekly N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description 
High Distinction  85-100 Awarded when you demonstrate the relevant learning outcomes for assessments at an exceptional standard. 
Distinction  75-84 Awarded when you demonstrate the relevant learning outcomes for assessments at a very high standard. 
Credit  65-74 Awarded when you demonstrate the relevant learning outcomes for assessments at a good standard. 
Pass 50-64 Awarded when you demonstrate the relevant learning outcomes for assessments at an acceptable standard. 
 
Fail  0-49 When you do not meet the relevant learning outcomes for assessments to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Week 1: Introduction to 'ethics', 'ethical reasoning', and 'ethical theories' Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 1 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Week 2: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 2 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Week 3: Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 3 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Week 4: Paediatric Genomic/Genetic Testing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 4 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
How to Write and Present on a Critical Commentary Essay? Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Week 5: Gene Editing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 5 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Week 6: Embryo and Stem Cell Research Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 6 Quiz Individual study (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Week 7: Uterus Transplantation (UTx) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 7 Quiz Individual study (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Week 8: Nano-biotechnology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 8 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Week 9: Synthetic Biology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 9 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Argumentative Essay Writing Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Week 10: Neuro-biotechnology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Quiz Individual study (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Week 11: Biotechnology and Precision Medicine Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Week 12: Commercialisation of Biotechnology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Online Discussion Forum Forum (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Week 13: Biotechnology and Global Health Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Quiz Individual study (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Full list of required and recommended readings are available on Canvas.  

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Raise, articulate, and consider answers to ethical questions concerning biotechnological advancements in relevant contexts and case studies
  • LO2. Analyse and critically evaluate relevant competing ethical arguments and positions
  • LO3. Develop and present reasoned defence of your position by deploying applicable ethical concepts, theories, or frameworks
  • LO4. Demonstrate clarity and directness of argumentation, thought, and expression when communicating verbally and in written form

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

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Disclaimer

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