Life Science Ethics

Transforming human society

Through deeper understanding of the life sciences – from genomics to cells, organisms, species, and ecosystems – and emerging biotechnologies, the life sciences will fundamentally transform human society in the twenty-first century and beyond. Grappling with the ethical and humanistic dimensions of biology is vital to direct this transformative potential to benefit individuals, society and the world. 

The program cultivates a culture in the School of Life Sciences that contributes to ASU’s commitment to “advancing research and discovery of public value” and “transforming society” as laid out in the university’s charter and design aspirations. Students, faculty, and staff in our school have unique opportunities to explore the societal and ethical implications of life sciences research and education.

Explore - Events

Bioethics Breakfast Club

Pink lights, scientists and plants

Warning, Coffee may be hot! Chocolate too! Agriculture, Technology, and the Future of Food

Facilitators:
Changbin Chen, Life Sciences
Andrea Rissing, Sustainability

Day: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
9 a.m.

   Tempe Campus, LSC 202

For more information contact
Karin Ellison 
Life Science Ethics Program 
[email protected]
 

Hand holding microscope in front of American flag

Science and American Politics: What's Changing?

Facilitators:
Zachary Pirtle, Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes
Maureen Kearney, Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes
Arthur Daemmrich, Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes

Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
9 a.m.

   Tempe Campus, LSC 202

For more information contact
Karin Ellison 
Life Science Ethics Program 
[email protected]

Science teacher demonstrating lesson to two students

Excellence in Biology Education

Facilitators:
Sara Brownell, Life Sciences
Sharon Hall, Life Sciences and Conservation Futures
Silvie Huijben, Life Sciences
Krystal Tsosie, Life Sciences

Day: Wednesday, January 20, 2027
9 a.m.

   Tempe Campus, LSC 202

For more information contact
Karin Ellison 
Life Science Ethics Program 
[email protected]

The Bioethics Breakfast Club organizing committee develops session ideas and coordinates the series. SOLS graduate students make up the committee. 

The 2024-5 Team is:

  • Jonathan Kim, biology and society, PhD
  • Cole Nichols, biology and society, MS
  • Don Ward, biology, PhD
  • Kelsi Watkins, neuroscience, PhD
  • Tim Williams, microbiology, PhD
     

Movie night

Ethics courses

Embedded Ethics

The program supports the school’s faculty incorporating ethics in courses, curriculum, and degree programs. Undergraduates begin exploring the ethical and social dimensions of biology in Introduction Biology with short modules on fundamental questions raised by scholars in these fields and an environmental ethics lab.  Graduate students engage in conversations with peers on professional standards for researchers in BIO 610: “Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research in the Life Sciences.”

Undergraduate Courses

The SOLS Faculty offer a robust set of ethics courses both in-person and online.  Regular classes include:
BIO 311: “Biology and Society” (3)
BIO 312: "Bioethics" (3)
BIO 324: "Environmental Ethics" (3)
BIO 416/HPS 410: "Biomedical Research Ethics" (3)

Graduate Courses

The SOLS Faculty offer a robust set of graduate ethics courses. Regular classes include:
BIO 527: "Environmental Ethics & Policy Goals" (3)
BIO 598: “Big Data in Context: Ethics, Policy, History and Philosophy (1)
BIO 598: “Neuroscience, Ethics & the Law” (2)
BIO 598: "Advanced Topics in Bioethics" (3)
BIO 610: "Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research" (1)
BIO 611: "Advanced Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research" (1)

Faculty resources

Research

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research Training

ASU fulfills NSF’s requirement for responsible and ethical research training through career-stage specific training requirements.[1]

Environmental Health and Safety Training

Cathie Mancini, Manager for Safety Support Services in SOLS, is the SOLS go to person for understanding ASU’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) program. In addition to working with Cathie, you can connect to EH&S through their web pages. EH&S has an extensive set of training courses[2] on topics ranging from general safety to lab safety to job-specific courses. Or, use their Training Determination Tool[3] for recommendations.

Ethics and Compliance Contacts

As you set up your research program at ASU, a variety of offices in SOLS, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and ASU broadly support ethical and responsible research. Here’s an overview of offices[4] by topic and their information.  

Training Graduate students

For many questions about SOLS graduate programs and graduate students, the SOLS Graduate Office[5] is the go-to resource. Additionally, see:

Mentoring Compact

SOLS requires graduate students and their primary advisors to set clear expectations for working together by completing a mentoring compact[6].

BIO 610: “Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research in the Life Sciences”

BIO 610[7] provides students an overview of research ethics and is required for students in many of SOLS graduate programs. MS students take it online; PhD students have an in-person section.

Courses

Academic integrity

SOLS Undergraduate Programs[8] supports faculty addressing violations of ASU’s Academic Integrity Policy with students.  Policy information is posted by the Provost’s Office[9], the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences[10], and the Graduate College[11].

Research on teaching

Research on courses intended to be published or presented outside ASU may involve human subjects research and need to be approved by ASU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)[12].  Resources for getting started include: submission instructions, walkthrough videos and a Study Submission Guide[13].

Contact information