Emerging Technologies LAW 248

Description

Law and the legal system anticipate and also respond to changes in technology in ways that may enhance or inhibit the development of new technologies and new applications of old technologies. This course examines these changes from a historical perspective using the telecommunications technologies and regulations as a case study. It then moves into current technological developments in genetic engineering, surrogate parenting, interactive cable TV, DNA testing, nanotechnology, facial recognition technologies, and the like. Legal issues involving intellectual property, contractual relationships, constitutional rights of individuals, rules of evidence, negligence, and products liability will be discussed in the contexts of a variety of emerging technologies. Questions revolve around the ways in which the legal system responds to changes with analogies to the "known and understood," with fear of the unknown, with conflict between legal and moral issues, with new law, and with the attorney's role in formulating change.

Schedule