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Université catholique de Louvain,
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Biotechnology, biodiversity, expertise
and governance
Problematics
Scientific innovation in biotechnology implies a relation between science and society in a multilevel meaning. We propose to analyse two specific dimensions. First, the relation between scientific expertise and democracy is an important aspect of the governance problematic. Which are the specific importance of economic determinations, scientific constraints and democratic control in scientific development? How to manage in such a way that scientific innovation should be more in the line of democratic functioning? Second, biotechnology implies relations with nature. The respect for nature seems to be a consensual value recently rediscovered in our societies. This concept also involves a plurality of meanings which has to be analysed. Particularly, the respect for biodiversity is included in a more global concept of nature which has to be clarified.
Introduction into the specialization -
recommended courses to take (in english)
- FILO 2240 Questions approfondies de philosophie des sciences de la nature (5ECTS)
This year, the topics of this seminar will be :
Philosophical stakes of Darwinism.
A serie of conferences by Michael Ruse in the context of "Mercier Chair"
1 Darwinism Yesterday and today
2 Darwinism and metaphor -- progress and design
3 Darwinism and religion
4 Darwinism and ethics
5 Darwinism and epistemology
Some examples of thesis
- Critical analysis of concepts of "respect for nature"
- GMO and scientific expertise : between epistemology and politics
- Reflexivity and governance in the case of GMO
- Science-Ideology Interactions: darwinism's case study
- Generic medicines : between physiology, economy and symbol
- Biotechnologies in agriculture : impacts on agricultural system, perception
and definition of needs
- North-South transfer of biotechnologies
- Multifunction in agriculture and local partners
- Environmental policy and theories of reflexive governance
- Intellectual property rights on biological material
- Biodiversity conservation, traditional knowledge and nature conservation
Optional courses (in french)
- AGRO 2760 Analyse des systèmes (30 h) M. Installé, Philippe
Baret (4 ECTS)
- FILO 2003 Ethique dans les sciences naturelles (15h - 15h) B. Feltz,
Ph. Baret, Th. Hance (2 ECTS)
- FILO 2230 Questions approfondies de philosophie de la nature (30h)
M. Ghins (4 ECTS)
- FILO 2240 Questions approfondies de philosophie des sciences de la
nature (30h) B. Feltz, M. Ghins (4 ECTS)
- FILO 2600 Questions approfondies de philosophie des sciences humaines
(30h) T. Dedeurwaerdere, M. Maesschalck (4 ECTS)
- INIS 3006 Droit de l'environnement (30h) F. Haumont
A ESST workshop of one day is envisaged with students of Maestricht and Namur during the second semester. (to be confirmed)
Staff members
Prof. Bernard Feltz, Philosophy of Life Sciences, UCL
Feltz@risp.ucl.ac.be
Prof. Tom Dedeurwaerdere, Philosophy of Human Sciences, UCL
Dedeurwaerdere@cpdr.ucl.ac.be
Prof. Philippe Baret, Unit of Genetics,UCL
Baret@gena.ucl.ac.be
Website of the University
Contact person
Prof. Tom Dedeurwaerdere, Philosophy of Human Sciences, UCL
dedeurwaerdere@cpdr.ucl.ac.be
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