Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Overview

A critical examination of laws governing select fields of biomedical science, including patenting, hazardous substances and new organisms, and reproductive genetic technology.

About this paper

Paper title Law and the Biosciences
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1000
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $820.40
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
96 LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Restriction
LAWS 357
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Teaching staff

Dr Jeanne Snelling

Overview

A critical examination of laws governing select fields of biomedical science, including patenting, hazardous substances and new organisms, and reproductive genetic technology.

Bioscience and biotechnology are burgeoning fields that may provide significant benefits for society, but also pose multifaceted "risks" (physical, environmental, cultural, moral). This paper considers the way in which scientific pursuit impacts society and the role of law in mediating this relationship.

About this paper

Paper title Law and the Biosciences
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1125
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
96 LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Restriction
LAWS 357
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Contact

law@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Associate Professor Jeanne Snelling

Textbooks

All course readings for this paper are provided by the Faculty on Aoroa.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

This paper aims to enable students to:

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of regulating biomedical technologies.
  • Be able to critically analyse specific statutory frameworks governing biomedical technologies in New Zealand.
  • Gain an appreciation of how issues that arise in the regulation of biotechnology have been addressed differently in other common law jurisdictions, and the ways in which nations engage with and regulate technology reflects different approaches towards, and prioritisation of, cultural values and political objectives.
Back to top