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Course Listing
Biotechnology Law
Last Updated Date: 8 July 2025
4 Units, Semester 2
Course Description:
This course will deal with the legal, policy, economic, social and ethical issues arising from the application of biotechnology techniques and the use of their methods and products in various sectors, such as medical, agricultural, etc.
The main focus will be on intellectual property and patent issues, particularly in respect of genetic, medical and pharmaceutical technology which are key sectors in Singapore and other countries. Some specific issues that will be analysed include patentability of biological materials, gene sequences, stem cells, plants, animals, humans, medical treatments, and the most recent issue of the role of intellectual property in the COVID-19 pandemic.
More generally, in an international and comparative perspective, different regulatory systems for research and development using controversial biotechnology techniques, including human genetic modification and cloning, GMOs, CRISPR, etc., will be analysed, also in light of a multidisciplinary approach which will take into account aspects like ethics of interventions on human life, access to genetic resources, sustainability, biodiversity and food sovereignty.
Finally, according to a Socratic model of teaching, specific insights and discussions will take place, with the active participation of the students, regarding the latest developments of bioinformatics and computational experimentation, especially through the most recent advances in big data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence (including generative AI). Apart from Singapore law, an analysis of the approaches in Europe, US, China, India, Japan and Australia will be explored.
This course will be of interest to all who wish to gain greater insights into the important and rapidly developing field of biotechnology. Prior knowledge of biology or intellectual property law will be useful but is not necessary, as all students will be introduced to the fundamentals
of biology, genetics, intellectual property and patent law.
Course Convenor: Visiting Prof Andrea Stazi
Co-teacher(s): NA
Course Codes: LL4007 / LL5007 / LL6007 / LLJ5007
Contact Hours: 9 sessions over 3 weeks: Three, 3-hrs continuous weekly seminars
Workload: Intensive: Wk 1 to 3; Dates: 13 Jan - 31 Jan 2025
[Mon, Wed: 6.30 - 9.30pm; & Fri: 3-6pm] *Make-up for Wed, 29 Jan (CNY PH) held on Sat, 25 Jan 2025 (1-4pm)
Mode of Assessment: Class Participation - 20%; Research Paper- 80% [Due: Fri, 7 March 2025 (9pm)]
Preclusions: Nil
Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent.
Examination Date: Different Mode of Examination
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