This module introduces the main theoretical questions and frameworks in modern bioethics. Bioethics is a field of inquiry concerned with the ethical, legal, social, professional and policy questions relating to technological and other innovations and practices in healthcare, with particular reference to human health and wellbeing. It stands in an important critical dialogue with medical law and ethics. This module introduces the theories and methods of bioethics, and although it can stand alone, it is also preparatory to the subsequent New Medical Technologies and the Law 2 and 3 modules.
Syllabus
Week 1:
1. Introduction: what is a problem in bioethics and how is it tackled?
2. A brief history of bioethics
Week 2:
3. The "Belmont Report" and the Four Principles
4. Liberal approaches
Week 3:
5. Consequentialism
6. Distributive Justice
Week 4:
7. Human Rights
8. Feminist bioethics
Week 5:
9. Disability and bioethics
10. Bioethics and the social sciences
LLM in Medical Law
Final Assessment Exercise
15 Credits
