The course explores the complex dialogue between science, technology, and law, starting from the leading cases examined by higher courts at the international level. An essential prerequisite is a basic knowledge of legal systems, domestic and EU institutions, sources of law, and judicial systems.
Course Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
The teaching approach has a strong seminar-style format to encourage student interaction regarding the legal issues arising from the development of biotechnologies in key areas of living organisms.
Assessment Methods
The final exam will focus on the discussion of legal cases (chosen by the student or student groups from a provided list) or on the critical presentation of topics (previously agreed upon in class) where the interaction between science, technology, and law highlights the main underlying legal issues, both in relation to the current legal framework (de iure condito) and future regulatory perspectives (de iure condendo).
Texts
Lecture Notes. Bibliographic References:
G.F. Ferrari, Atlante di diritto pubblico comparato, Torino, UTET, latest edition. A. Santosuosso, M. Tomasi, Diritto, scienza, nuove tecnologie, Padova, Cedam, 2021.
Contents
Introduction to Italian and EU law; the Italian and EU legal systems; institutions; legislation; justice; competences; fundamental rights; Intellectual property rights; biotechnology patent; EU directives on confined use and commercialization of genetically modified organisms; ethical questions; case law analysis and discussion
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students who wish to do so will be able to take the final exam at the end of the course, during the month of May as a pre-exam session, which must be regularized for registration purposes by enrolling in the official exam sessions. There is no deadline for taking the final exam under the indicated conditions. Attendance is not mandatory, and the program is the same for all students. However, given the seminar-style nature of the lessons and the exam format described above, attendance is strongly recommended to facilitate the understanding of fundamental knowledge, the working method, and the tools for bibliographic research (legal databases, institutional websites of judicial bodies, etc.).
