Bioethics
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide an overview of the most relevant issues addressed by the contemporary bioethical debate. First, a methodological introduction will be provided, aimed at investigating the origins, purposes, and epistemological status of the discipline and what its role in society is, and should be. In this context, the most influential argumentative techniques used in the bioethical debate will also be briefly presented. Subsequently, the main bioethical issues relating to a) experimentation on human beings, b) termination of pregnancy, c) current and future assisted reproduction technologies d) end-of-life issues, e) organ transplantation, f) the allocation of scarce resources and right to healthcare, and f) ethics of mandatory vaccination will be investigated.
Expected learning outcomes
This course will allow students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the development of a critical and non-dogmatic reflection on complex bioethical issues. With regard to knowledge, students will be able to: recognize the aims of bioethical reflection, distinguishing the various areas of practical application of the discipline; recognize the ethical theories and arguments used in dealing with specific bioethical issues. Regarding competencies, students will be able to formulate articulated opinions on the topics covered during the course and present their positions in a coherent and well-argued way.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
This course aims to provide an overview of the most relevant issues addressed by the contemporary bioethical debate. First, a methodological introduction will be provided, aimed at investigating the discipline's origins, purposes and epistemological status and what its role in society is, and should be. In this context, the most influential argumentative techniques used in the bioethical debate will also be briefly presented. Subsequently, the main bioethical issues relating to a) experimentation on human beings, b) termination of pregnancy, c) current and future assisted reproduction technologies
d) end-of-life issues, f) organ transplantation, g) allocation of scarce resources and the right to healthcare and h) vaccines will be investigated.
Introduction
Lesson 1: Origins, purposes and epistemological status of bioethics
Lesson 2: Theories and sound arguments in bioethics
Research Ethics
Lesson 3: Basics of research methodology
Lesson 4: Ethical issues in clinical research
Beginning of life and Ethics of Abortion
Lesson 5: Who matters morally? The moral status of embryos and fetuses
Lesson 6: The cases against and for abortion
Lesson 7: Ethical issues of conscientious objection
Assisted reproductive technologies: reproductive rights and responsibility
Lesson 8: An overview of ethical issues in assisted reproduction
Lesson 9: Genetic selection, procreative beneficence and the non-identity problem
Lesson 10: Genome editing, ectogenesis and procreative responsibility
Lesson 11: Reproduction and genetic enhancement
End-of-life issues
Lesson 12: Drawing distinctions between withdrawing treatments, assisting suicide and euthanasia
Lesson 13: Ethical and legal issues on decriminalizing assisted dying
Lection 14: Dementia and end of life
Ethics of organ transplantation
Lesson 15: Ethical issues of organ transplantation and the definition of death
Lesson 16: Ethics of organ procurement and the organ market issue.
Justice and Health Care
Lesson 17: The principle of justice and criteria for allocation of healthcare resources
Lesson 18: Ethics of allocating intensive health care resources during crisis: the Italian case
Ethics and vaccines
Lesson 19: The ethics of mandatory vaccination
Conclusion
Lesson 20: Conclusions of the course and discussion of the topics reviewed
d) end-of-life issues, f) organ transplantation, g) allocation of scarce resources and the right to healthcare and h) vaccines will be investigated.
Introduction
Lesson 1: Origins, purposes and epistemological status of bioethics
Lesson 2: Theories and sound arguments in bioethics
Research Ethics
Lesson 3: Basics of research methodology
Lesson 4: Ethical issues in clinical research
Beginning of life and Ethics of Abortion
Lesson 5: Who matters morally? The moral status of embryos and fetuses
Lesson 6: The cases against and for abortion
Lesson 7: Ethical issues of conscientious objection
Assisted reproductive technologies: reproductive rights and responsibility
Lesson 8: An overview of ethical issues in assisted reproduction
Lesson 9: Genetic selection, procreative beneficence and the non-identity problem
Lesson 10: Genome editing, ectogenesis and procreative responsibility
Lesson 11: Reproduction and genetic enhancement
End-of-life issues
Lesson 12: Drawing distinctions between withdrawing treatments, assisting suicide and euthanasia
Lesson 13: Ethical and legal issues on decriminalizing assisted dying
Lection 14: Dementia and end of life
Ethics of organ transplantation
Lesson 15: Ethical issues of organ transplantation and the definition of death
Lesson 16: Ethics of organ procurement and the organ market issue.
Justice and Health Care
Lesson 17: The principle of justice and criteria for allocation of healthcare resources
Lesson 18: Ethics of allocating intensive health care resources during crisis: the Italian case
Ethics and vaccines
Lesson 19: The ethics of mandatory vaccination
Conclusion
Lesson 20: Conclusions of the course and discussion of the topics reviewed
Prerequisites for admission
The course has no formal prerequisites. However, it will refer to some issues discussed during the teaching course "Facts, principles and hard choices" (I year).
Teaching methods
The course is composed of both taught classes and debate lessons.
Teaching Resources
The slides used for the lessons will be available and will constitute part of the material for the exam.
Required readings for the exam (plus slides):
Textbook
Chadwick, R. F., & Schüklenk, U. (2020). This is bioethics. John Wiley & Sons. (recommended but mandatory only for non-attending students)
Papers
Daniels, N. (2010). Is there a right to health care and, if so, what does it encompass? In A Companion to Bioethics (pp. 362-372). Wiley-Blackwell.
Giubilini, A. (2020). An argument for compulsory vaccination: The taxation analogy. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 37(3), 446-466.
Gyngell, C., Douglas, T., & Savulescu, J. (2017). The ethics of germline Gene Editing. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 34(4), 498-513.
Reichlin M. (2022). The Reasonableness Standard for Conscientious Objection in Healthcare. J Bioeth Inq, 19(2), 255-264.
Richards, J. R. (2010). A world of transferable parts. In A Companion to Bioethics (pp. 373-389). Wiley-Blackwell.
Savulescu, J., & Kahane, G. (2009). The moral obligation to create children with the best chance of the best life. Bioethics, 23(5), 274-290.
Choose one of the following options
(NB: Non-attending students must read all the texts in this section)
1) Marquis, D. (1989). Why abortion is immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 86(4), 183-202.
2) Thomson, J. J. (1976). A defense of abortion. In Biomedical Ethics and the Law (pp. 39-54). Springer US.
3) Giubilini, A., & Minerva, F. (2013). After-birth abortion: why should the baby live? Journal of Medical Ethics, 39(5), 261-263 AND Tooley, M. (2013). Philosophy, critical thinking and "after-birth abortion: why should the baby live?" Journal of Medical Ethics, 39(5), 266-272.
Required readings for the exam (plus slides):
Textbook
Chadwick, R. F., & Schüklenk, U. (2020). This is bioethics. John Wiley & Sons. (recommended but mandatory only for non-attending students)
Papers
Daniels, N. (2010). Is there a right to health care and, if so, what does it encompass? In A Companion to Bioethics (pp. 362-372). Wiley-Blackwell.
Giubilini, A. (2020). An argument for compulsory vaccination: The taxation analogy. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 37(3), 446-466.
Gyngell, C., Douglas, T., & Savulescu, J. (2017). The ethics of germline Gene Editing. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 34(4), 498-513.
Reichlin M. (2022). The Reasonableness Standard for Conscientious Objection in Healthcare. J Bioeth Inq, 19(2), 255-264.
Richards, J. R. (2010). A world of transferable parts. In A Companion to Bioethics (pp. 373-389). Wiley-Blackwell.
Savulescu, J., & Kahane, G. (2009). The moral obligation to create children with the best chance of the best life. Bioethics, 23(5), 274-290.
Choose one of the following options
(NB: Non-attending students must read all the texts in this section)
1) Marquis, D. (1989). Why abortion is immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 86(4), 183-202.
2) Thomson, J. J. (1976). A defense of abortion. In Biomedical Ethics and the Law (pp. 39-54). Springer US.
3) Giubilini, A., & Minerva, F. (2013). After-birth abortion: why should the baby live? Journal of Medical Ethics, 39(5), 261-263 AND Tooley, M. (2013). Philosophy, critical thinking and "after-birth abortion: why should the baby live?" Journal of Medical Ethics, 39(5), 266-272.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist of an oral discussion on the central issues of bioethics. A considerable part of the final assessment will depend on students' involvement in class discussions.
SPS/01 - POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Battisti Davide
Educational website(s)