COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examines the ethical implications of specific biomedical issues in the context of major ethical systems. Lecture 3 hours per week.
GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE
To introduce the student to important controversies in biology and medicine which have ethical dimensions. To examine these issues in the context of ethical theory. To show the importance of critical analysis and ethical theory for the resolution of these dilemmas.
ENTRY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
None
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to evaluate important controversies in medicine and biology in terms of major ethical theories. Specifically, the student will be able to:
B. Identify and evaluate the principal ethical theories, including Classical, Natural law, Kantian, Utilitarian, and social contract theories.
C. Use these theories in the analysis of biological and medical controversies.
D. Understand the role of reason and argument in ethical decision making.
Critical attention will be given to the following topics:
B. Lying to the dying and terminally ill
C. Informed Consent
D. Rights of patients in life-threatening situations
E. Suicide
F. Euthanasia
G. Problems of neonatal deformities
H. In vitro fertilization
I. Surrogate parenthood
J. Ethics of transplantation
K. Problems of allocating scarce medical resources
L. Genetic engineering