Progress of science, man, ethics

elective courses

The knowledge of basic questions and problems in bioethics and contemporary biomedicine

Classroom

The following problems are addressed during the course: 1. The problem of the definition of death, transplantation ethics, the psychology of transplantations. 2. The ethics of DNA analysis, UNESCO Declarations and the Biomedical Convention of the Council of Europe. 3. Problems with GMOs. 4. Genetic tests, pharmacogenomics, the patient's genetics, confidentiality of data, discrimination and stigmatization based on genetics. Predictive value of DNA based tests. 5. Ethical problems with biobanks. 6. The ethical status of the embryo. Prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, in vitro fertilization. 7. Ethical status of stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells. 8. Active and passive euthanasia, palliative care, persistent therapies. 9. Modifications of the human genome. 10. Predictive value of tests. 11. Clinical trials. The ethics of placebo. 12. Patents. 13. Scientific revolutions in medicine in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The course is in the form of presentations given by students after which the whole group participates in a discussion. The discussed problems and presentations: 1. The problem of the definition of death, the moment of death versus death as a continuous phenomenon, the Harvard definition and its evolution, the problem of taking organs for transplantation, legislation in different countries, the problems of patients after transplantation. 2. The development of the methods of DNA analysis, consent to taking samples, the international conventions and the legislation in different countries concerning DNA, bioethical conventions and declarations, the precautionary principle, legislation of biotechnology and research ethics in the EU. 3. Genetically modified organisms a a legislative, ethical and social problem; social reaction to research on GMOs, Polish laws on GMOs and planned laws; 4. The principle of confidentiality of genetic data, legislation pertaining to this problem in different countries, problems with potential exclusion, discrimination by employers or insurance companies, ethical problems of genetic counseling, the transformation of statistical predictions to the patient's decisions, reliability and predictive value of genetic tests 5. Creation and maintenance of biobanks, legislative, technical and ethical problems, the value of the stored samples, the problem of reimbursement/payment. 6. The ethical status of the human embryo. Prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, in vitro fertilization. **7. Ethical status of stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells. 8. Active and passive euthanasia, palliative care, persistent therapies. 9. Modifications of the human genome. 10. Predictive value of tests. 11. Clinical trials. The ethics of placebo. 12. Patents. 13. Scientific revolutions in medicine in the 20th and 21st century.

UNESCO Declarations: on the human genome, on human genetic data and on bioethics. The Convention on Biomedicine of the Council of Europe plus attached protocols. The English literature is extensive, and students are given or recommended articles in English. The book by Mephan was originally published in English.

After completing the course the student

KNOWLEDGE

Has a broad knowledge of the contemporary problems due to the rapid development of molecular biology and genetics in medical and agricultural applications

has a broad knowledge of ethical problems linked to different systems of values

knows the principles of conducting clinical trials, leading to evidence for introducing new drugs or therapies

is familiar with the controversies surrounding the status of the human embryo and the legislation concerning this matter in different countries

is familiar with the ethical aspects of transplantology, therapy in terminal stages and assisted reproduction

K_W02has in-depth knowledge about selected fields of medical biotechnology

ABILITIES

Show the ability to critically analyze and select information especially from electronic sources

Has the ability to draw conclusions and formulate judgements on the basis of data from different sources

COMPETENCIES

Has the habit of using objective sources of scientific information and using the principles of critical reasoning when solving practical problems

Understands the need to inform society about new achievements of biotechnology and their importance and is able to transmit this information so that it is understandable

K_U03

The presentations given by the students are evaluated as is their active participation in the discussions.

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