大家都聽過｢生物科技｣這個名詞，但生物科技是什麼? 為什麼生物科技被認為是繼資訊科技（information technology）之後，另一項能對人類社會產生巨大影響的科技? 若是如此，我們要如何解讀這個新興科技? 如何理解生物科技對人類社會在醫藥、農業、環境、文化、道德、倫理等方面已經造成的深刻影響及轉變? 最重要的是，我們要如何管制這個爭議性極高的科技? 面對這個據稱能帶來人類希望與毀滅的科學技術，我們要如何抉擇?
在｢農業生物科技與社會｣這門課中，我們要試圖探討這些問題。同學們不用擔心深奧複雜的分子生物學與遺傳學知識，我們學習的重點在於掌握不同生物科技應用的方式及範疇，理解這些應用對人類社會與環境的可能影響；深入思考生物科技的利與弊，認識科技與社會之間相互糾纏的關係；並反省｢誰在操控科技？誰能管制科技？｣這些意義深遠的課題。Everyone has heard the term "biotechnology", but what is biotechnology? Why is biotechnology considered another technology that can have a huge impact on human society after information technology? If so, how should we understand this new technology? How to understand the profound impact and transformation of biotechnology on human society in medicine, agriculture, environment, culture, morality, ethics, etc.? Most importantly, how should we control this highly controversial technology? How do we decide this scientific technology that can bring human hope and destruction?
In the course “Agriculture Biotechnology and Society”, we are going to try to explore these issues. Students don’t have to worry about the profound and complex molecular biology and cultural knowledge. The focus of our learning is to master the methods and scope of different biotechnology applications, understand the possible impact of these applications on human society and the environment; think deeply about the advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology, and understand the mutual relationship between technology and society; and reflect on these profound topics, “Who is controlling technology? Who can control technology?”
僅供參考: 正式書單開學公布
* Martineau, Belinda著、楊玉齡譯，2002，《蕃茄一號: 全球第一個上市基改食品｢莎弗蕃茄｣的起與落》。台北: 遠流。（Martineau, Belinda, 2001, First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr™ Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Food. New York: McGraw-Hill.）
* Tagiaferro, Linda and Mark V. Bloom著，2001，《看基因在說話》。台北，凱信。（Tagiaferro, Linda and Mark V. Bloom, 1999, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Decoding Your Gene. New York: Alpha Books.）
* Smith, Jeffrey M.著、張木屯譯，2012，《欺騙的種子：揭開政府不想面對、企業不讓你知道的基因改造滅種黑幕》。台北市: 臉譜。（Smith, Jeffrey M, 2003, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating. Fairfield, IA : Yes Books.）
For reference only: Official book study announcement
* Martineau, Belinda, Yang Yu-rang, 2002, "Tomato No. 1: The rise and fall of the world's first listed basic food "Saph Tomato"". Taipei: Far. (Martineau, Belinda, 2001, First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr™ Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Food. New York: McGraw-Hill.)
* by Tagiaferro, Linda and Mark V. Bloom, 2001, "Looking at Genes" Taipei, Kaixin. (Tagiaferro, Linda and Mark V. Bloom, 1999, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Decoding Your Gene. New York: Alpha Books.)
* Smith, Jeffrey M., Zhang Mutun, 2012, "Seeds of Deception: Uncovering the Shames of Genetic Transformation that the Government does not want to face and that the Enterprise does not let you know." Taipei City: Face. (Smith, Jeffrey M, 2003, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating. Fairfield, IA : Yes Books.)
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| 出席、隨堂小考及課堂參與出席、隨堂小考及課堂參與 Attendance, exams and class participation |
10 | |
| MemoMemo Memo |
32 | |
| 小組導讀 小組導讀 Group guide |
13 | |
| 期末報告（含口頭報告）期末報告（含口頭報告） Final report (including oral report) |
25 |
