This two-semester, 8-credit interdisciplinary Thesis Seminar examines the complex problem of making weapons out of biological organisms. This includes understanding the history of research and development into creating biological weapons, as well as describing the extent and categories of actual use, including consideration of accidental and/or unintentional use, as in the historical exposure of indigenous cultures to European diseases. We will also examine perceptions of the distinctions between types of conflict in which biological weapons may be used, including exploration of the difference between war and terrorism. We will focus on two specific diseases--anthrax and smallpox--and in both we will explore the organism, the disease it causes, the history of weaponization efforts, and international efforts at control. We will end the first semester with a critical analysis of the several societal, political and international issues that must be resolved, including addressing whether it is ethical to use biological weapons; whether we should regulate scientific inquiry in the field of microbiology; whether scientists are responsible for the applications of their research; differentiating between what is termed "defensive" and "offensive" research; and a critical examination of how effective international controls have been. (499-Seminar)
- Teacher: Laura Reed