Homework — Principles & Practices

Warning

Document your work clearly — sketches, screenshots, notes, even failed attempts (and how you addressed them).

Class Assignment

  1. Describe a biological engineering application or tool you want to develop and why. This can tie to your eventual final project or current research.
  2. Define governance/policy goals to ensure your application contributes to an ethical future (e.g., safety, equity, autonomy). Break big goals into sub‑goals.
  3. Propose at least three governance actions across different actors (e.g., researchers, companies, federal agencies). For each action, consider:
    • Purpose — what changes are you proposing?
    • Design — what’s needed for it to work?
    • Assumptions — what might you have wrong?
    • Risks of failure & “success” — unintended consequences if it “works.”
  4. Score each action (1–3; 1=best) against your policy goals (or a framework of your own). Use the matrix below as inspiration.
  5. Prioritize one option (or a combo) and explain your trade‑offs, assumptions, and uncertainties.

Governance scoring matrix

Weekly Assignment

Reflect on any ethical concerns that arose this week. Propose governance actions you think are appropriate to address them. Include this on your class page for Week 1.

Before Next Class

  • Open a personal Notion page (covered in Recitation) and submit the public link via this Google Form.
  • Complete the Principles & Practices assignment above.