Ethics of Fungal Biotechnology
Ethical questions raised by engineering, patenting, commercialising and releasing fungi, approached through cases and structured debate.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Ethics of Fungal Biotechnology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course examines the ethical questions raised by engineering, patenting, commercialising and releasing fungi. You will compare ethical frameworks for biotechnology, consider environmental release and ecological risk, and study bioprospecting, access and benefit sharing. A dedicated module addresses indigenous and traditional knowledge of fungi, and another looks at hype, overstated claims and scientific integrity. The course closes with structured debates on real cases.
Fungal innovation is growing fast, from engineered strains to mycelium products and fungal compounds, and ethical questions are arriving before regulation catches up. Researchers and founders who can reason through these issues clearly make better decisions and earn greater trust. The course suits researchers, entrepreneurs and policy students; no background in philosophy is needed. In the final project you prepare an ethical analysis of a real or hypothetical fungal innovation, identifying stakeholders, risks and benefits, applying at least two frameworks and recommending concrete responsible practices.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as biotechnology, public policy, academic research, science communication.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Ethical questions raised by engineering, patenting, commercialising and releasing fungi, approached through cases and structured debate.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Ethical frameworks for biotechnology; Environmental release and ecological risk.
- Put them into practice: Bioprospecting, access and benefit sharing; Indigenous and traditional knowledge of fungi.
- Apply everything to a real case: Hype, claims and scientific integrity; Case debates in fungal innovation.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Apply ethical frameworks to decisions in fungal biotechnology.
- Assess ecological risks of releasing fungi into the environment.
- Explain access and benefit-sharing obligations for genetic resources.
- Recognise and challenge overstated claims about fungal innovations.
- Present a structured ethical argument in debate.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Researchers, entrepreneurs and policy students.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior knowledge is required; interest in biotechnology and willingness to engage in debate are sufficient.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research integrity or ethics officer
- Policy researcher on biotechnology
- Responsible innovation lead at a start-up
- Research assistant in science and technology studies
- Science communicator on biotechnology ethics
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ethical frameworks for biotechnology | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Environmental release and ecological risk | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Bioprospecting, access and benefit sharing | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Indigenous and traditional knowledge of fungi | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Hype, claims and scientific integrity | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Case debates in fungal innovation | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Consequentialist and rights-based approaches
- Precaution and proportionality
- Responsible research and innovation
- Ecological risks of released fungi
- Invasive and engineered strains
- Monitoring after release
- The Nagoya Protocol in practice
- Access permits and agreements
- Fair benefit sharing
- Traditional uses of fungi
- Consent and attribution
- Respectful collaboration models
- How hype arises
- Overclaiming in press releases
- Integrity in reporting results
- Preparing a case debate
- Structured argument techniques
- Reaching a reasoned position
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
An ethical analysis of a real or hypothetical fungal innovation with stakeholder mapping and recommendations.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and debates, short written exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Computing school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Ethics of Fungal Biotechnology?
No prior knowledge is required; interest in biotechnology and willingness to engage in debate are sufficient.
How is Ethics of Fungal Biotechnology taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and debates, short written exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
An ethical analysis of a real or hypothetical fungal innovation with stakeholder mapping and recommendations.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Ethics of Fungal Biotechnology?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).