BMS404 - Ethics, the Law and Public Awareness of Science (10 credits)
Module Co-ordinator: Dr. A.J. Furley
Aims
This module introduces an outline of the legislative limitations and ethical influences on biomedical science. It will address how these are influenced by public attitudes and explore how these, in turn, are influenced by the scientific community. The module will contain a factual and objective core, but students will be encouraged to explore, develop and express their own beliefs and value system.
Content
The module will begin with an introduction to the philosophical bases of ethical thought, followed by an overview of the areas in which legislation impinges on biomedical research. We will then proceed to analyse the processes by which such legislation is made including, especially, the ethical bases for such legislation. Students will be encouraged to analyse existing laws and guidelines to discover their underlying ethical basis. Students will also be given the opportunity to discuss the workings of such laws and guidelines with experts who have served on ethical committees. The students will then be asked to discuss the ethics of specific topics in the form of a formal debate. In addition, we examine how society perceives science and how the process of science itself works and how this influences scientists´ abilities to present their work to the wider community.
Objectives
At the end of this module students should be able to:
- Summarise the main areas in which legislation impinges on biomedical research.
- Analyse and discuss, using examples, the ethics underlying legislation and professional guidelines in biomedical research.
- Explain, using examples, how public attitudes can influence legislation and scientific norms.
- Explain, using examples, how public understanding of science is influenced by scientists and scientific method.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, group discussions, debates and poster presentations.
Assessment
Peer and teacher assessed debates and poster sessions will examine students´ ability to construct and express coherent argument based on clear scientific and ethical foundations. The process of peer assessment will also involve the students in critical analysis of presented evidence and thus form part of the learning process.