Law and Bioethics
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a knowledge of the Italian legislation on bioethical issues, and to investigate, also through comparative analysis, the legal and ethical problems and related to them, in order develop an autonomous critical judgement. The course will deal with topics such as medically assisted procreation, genetic engineering, voluntary interruption of pregnancy, interruption of medical treatment, medical ethics, and euthanasia.
Expected learning outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding of the Italian law on bioethical issues and the related ethical and legal problems
- Ability to apply the tools of bio-legal analysis to new legislations, new technical innovations and case law
- Critical judgment acquired through practical tests and written reports
- Development of a communication skill and excellent mastery of the concepts related to bio-legal problems, acquired through discussions and group work
- Independent learning acquired by managing the ethical and legal tools related to bioethical issues
- Ability to apply the tools of bio-legal analysis to new legislations, new technical innovations and case law
- Critical judgment acquired through practical tests and written reports
- Development of a communication skill and excellent mastery of the concepts related to bio-legal problems, acquired through discussions and group work
- Independent learning acquired by managing the ethical and legal tools related to bioethical issues
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Early life issues (medically assisted procreation, surrogacy, voluntary interruption of pregnancy, stem cells, cloning), medical ethics (medical liability, informed consent, gene-editing and genetic engineering), end-of-life issues (transplants, treatment interruption, euthanasia, assisted suicide).
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites
Teaching methods
Lectures, group exercises, drafting of original research, learning by teaching.
The lectures will make use of teaching materials available on ariel.
The lectures will make use of teaching materials available on ariel.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
Bibliography available online (www.ariel.unimi.it), that will be indicated at the first lesson.
Not-Attending students
(1) F. Poggi (a cura di), Diritto e bioetica, Carocci, Roma, 2013, except essays n. 1 and 5.
(2) A. Santosuosso, Diritto, scienza, nuove tecnologie, CEDAM, Milano, 2021, only chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6.
(4) The following statutes are integral part of the examination program: (i) Legge 1 aprile 1999, n. 91, "Disposizioni in materia di prelievi e di trapianti di organi e di tessuti"; (ii) Legge 19 febbraio 2004, n. 40, "Norme in materia di procreazione medicalmente assistita"; (iii) Legge 22 dicembre 2017, n. 219, "Norme in materia di consenso informato e di disposizioni anticipate di trattamento".
40, "Norme in materia di procreazione medicalmente assistita".
Bibliography available online (www.ariel.unimi.it), that will be indicated at the first lesson.
Not-Attending students
(1) F. Poggi (a cura di), Diritto e bioetica, Carocci, Roma, 2013, except essays n. 1 and 5.
(2) A. Santosuosso, Diritto, scienza, nuove tecnologie, CEDAM, Milano, 2021, only chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6.
(4) The following statutes are integral part of the examination program: (i) Legge 1 aprile 1999, n. 91, "Disposizioni in materia di prelievi e di trapianti di organi e di tessuti"; (ii) Legge 19 febbraio 2004, n. 40, "Norme in materia di procreazione medicalmente assistita"; (iii) Legge 22 dicembre 2017, n. 219, "Norme in materia di consenso informato e di disposizioni anticipate di trattamento".
40, "Norme in materia di procreazione medicalmente assistita".
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students: oral exam or (optionally) two intermediate tests consisting of written reports, plus a final oral exam.
Not-attending students: oral exam
Evaluation criteria: exposition quality; ability to organize knowledge; ability to manage the concepts and methods bioethical discussions and to apply them to new legal problems and technological innovations.
Not-attending students: oral exam
Evaluation criteria: exposition quality; ability to organize knowledge; ability to manage the concepts and methods bioethical discussions and to apply them to new legal problems and technological innovations.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)