Reproduction, Reproductive Technologies, and the Law

SLN #: 92580
Course Prefix: LAW-791
Course Section: 034
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Matsumura
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
When it comes to the creation of human life, yesterday’s science fiction has become today’s reality. Stories about baby sellers, egg freezing, runaway surrogate mothers, genetic enhancement, and octomoms have exposed the lack of meaningful legal regulation of assisted reproductive technologies and have spurred calls for reform. But the extent to which the State should regulate who can reproduce and under what circumstances raises a host of difficult questions. This course will search for answers to those questions by considering the role the Constitution, tort, contract, property, and criminal law have traditionally played in advancing the State’s interest in reproduction and discussing how those doctrines should adapt to new technologies and family configurations. Topics covered will include abortion, gamete donation, In Vitro Fertilization, surrogacy, genetic screening and enhancement, eugenics, medical ethics, and alternative family formation. Course materials will include articles from newspapers, websites, medical journals, and law reviews; cases and statutes; excerpts from books; and documentaries and television news broadcasts.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: Yes*
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes*
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Note: Only one of the above listed requirements can be fulfilled with this course.
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Participation Points: Participation will be worth 30% of the grade and will take into consideration attendance.
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Additional Attendance Policy: Following the default attendance policy, students cannot miss more than 15% of classes or they will be withdrawn or receive a failing grade.

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.