Outline

Overview

This unit will examine the scope and limitations of existing regulation of new genetic technologies with respect to humans; consider recent health innovations in the area of human genetics and the role and effectiveness of law in managing these new developments and evaluate the role of law as a means to control both the development of new genetic technologies and the utilisation of existing technologies. This will include a specific focus on topics such as, individual decision-making versus responsibility for genetic risk, individual versus community rights, genetic privacy, genetic discrimination, transformation of standards of care, reproductive autonomy, and ownership, control and benefit-sharing of genetic information and research developments. Specific issues covered may include: genetic screening including of adults, children and newborns; prenatal genetic testing; genetic registers; genetic privacy; genetic discrimination; the regulation of genetic research and innovative health technologies such as genetic engineering, 3D bioprinting, stem cell therapies, personalized and regenerative medicine, organoid research, and biobanking. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Cameron Stewart, cameron.stewart@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 3 October 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Presentation (30%) Presentation and facilitating discussion	0%	Multiple weeks Closing date: 26 Sep 2025	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Short-release final assignment (70%) Written submission	0%	Week 03 Due date: 07 Oct 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 14 Oct 2025	7000 words / 3 days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Capstone essay (70%) Written submission	0%	Week 03 Due date: 07 Oct 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 28 Oct 2025	7000 words / 2 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Presentation (30%): Students are tasked with delivering a presentation and facilitating discussion over 30 minutes of class time. Students will present one of the discussion topics listed in the Learning Guide for the unit. The discussion points will be available to students via Canvas.

You will need to reserve your choice of case via the separate sign-up sheet available in Modules on the Canvas page.

Students may choose between a Short-release final assignment (70%) or a Capstone Essay (70%)

Short-release final assignment: This assignment has two [2] parts:

A problem question-style task that will ask students to respond to a set of facts and answer specific legal questions.
A discussion question where students will have to critically analyse a proposition and discuss whether they agree or disagree with it. The propositions will be formulated taking into account the topics raised throughout the unit.

Each part of the final assignment is weighted equally (35%:35%) and each has a word limit of 3500-words (including footnotes and references) (total 7000-words).

The fact set and propositions for the assignment will be available to students from 10:00am (Sydney, Australia time) on 3 October 2025 and must be submitted no later than 10:00am (Sydney, Australia time) on 7 October 2025 via Canvas. Instructions and marking criteria for the final assessment will be discussed in class and available via Canvas.

Capstone Essay:

Students may choose to do a research paper that counts as a capstone. A choice of research topics will be provided on Canvas. Students choosing a capstone will have to make an appointment to discuss their research plan and methodology with Cameron by 5pm on 19 September 2025. If you have not had a discussion with Cameron by that time you will have to complete the short turn around assessment. The capstone paper has a word limit of 7000-words (including footnotes and references). It must be submitted no later than 10:00am (Sydney, Australia time) on 7 October 2025 via Canvas.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will include all footnotes and any bibliography (if required), and exclude acknowledgements of assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after the due time specified in the assessment summary but by 11:59pm on the due date will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	DAY 1: Key themes in genetics and new health technologies	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 01	DAY 2: Data and infomatics; Regeneration and replacement	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 02	DAY 3: New regenerative and replacement technologies	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 02	DAY 4: New reproductive health technologies	Seminar (6.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

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

All readings for this unit are available on the Canvas site under 'Reading List'.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. analyse the key principles and practices relating to the regulation of genetics and new health technologies and their impact on healthcare and public policy.
LO2. synthesize knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks applicable to genetics and new health technologies through the critical review of Australian case law, legislation and public policy.
LO3. evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current regulatory regimes governing genetics and new health technologies and assess the gaps in regulating these evolving areas of law.
LO4. construct engaged, evidenced-based perspectives of the potential outcomes of law and policy that balance individual autonomy and public interest.
LO5. apply ethical reasoning to identify and resolve legal and ethical issues surrounding genetic technologies in a contemporary Australian context.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Capstone essay option was added in response to student and staff feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS6914: Law, Genetics and New Health Technologies

Semester 2b, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links