Useful links
Unit of study_
LAWS6914: Law, Genetics and New Health Technologies
2025 unit information
This unit will examine the scope and limitations of existing regulation of new genetic technologies with respect to humans; consider recent health innovations in the area of human genetics and the role and effectiveness of law in managing these new developments and evaluate the role of law as a means to control both the development of new genetic technologies and the utilisation of existing technologies. This will include a specific focus on topics such as, individual decision-making versus responsibility for genetic risk, individual versus community rights, genetic privacy, genetic discrimination, transformation of standards of care, reproductive autonomy, and ownership, control and benefit-sharing of genetic information and research developments. Specific issues covered may include: genetic screening including of adults, children and newborns; prenatal genetic testing; genetic registers; genetic privacy; genetic discrimination; the regulation of genetic research and innovative health technologies such as genetic engineering, 3D bioprinting, stem cell therapies, personalized and regenerative medicine, organoid research, and biobanking. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. analyse the key principles and practices relating to the regulation of genetics and new health technologies and their impact on healthcare and public policy.
- LO2. synthesize knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks applicable to genetics and new health technologies through the critical review of Australian case law, legislation and public policy.
- LO3. evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current regulatory regimes governing genetics and new health technologies and assess the gaps in regulating these evolving areas of law.
- LO4. construct engaged, evidenced-based perspectives of the potential outcomes of law and policy that balance individual autonomy and public interest.
- LO5. apply ethical reasoning to identify and resolve legal and ethical issues surrounding genetic technologies in a contemporary Australian context.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2b 2025
|
Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
There are no availabilities for previous years.
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
