Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Bioethics
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Dra Begoña Bosch: bbosch@uic.es
Dr Ignacio Macpherson: imacpherson@uic.es
Dr Mauricio Pacheco: mpacheco@uic.es
Introduction
Technological advances have created new scenarios for all professionals in health sciences and have raised great hopes of making concrete improvements to human lives and the future of mankind. However, in both clinical practice and scientific research and management, problems and questions of an ethical nature frequently arise. Such questions clearly show the need for a constant and integrated relationship between technical and ethical matters, to ensure new knowledge is acquired in a manner that ensures the best for people who are in vulnerable situations. To offer a full professional, technical and scientific education, is not enough only to teach Biomedical Science, and an ethical dimension must be included.
The Bioethics course aims to reflect on the value of human life, the respect it deserves and its relationship to good health. It is based on principles that should inspire good conduct in Biomedical Science, in order to integrate the actions that arise in daily practice, while providing the necessary awareness of human rights and the main health regulations governing the profession.
Training in Bioethics aims to provide students in Biomedical Science with knowledge and specific training that will educate and guide them, not only to make the best decisions in situations that are considered limited, but also to know how to act in numerous situations that arise in daily practice.
Pre-course requirements
Students are recommended to have passed Anthropology.
Objectives
- To develop the ability to think about and discuss ethical issues based on an analysis of the present situation.
- To provide the conceptual tools so students understand the importance of acquiring the principles and fundamental values of ethics in personal and professional care.
- To demonstrate the meaning and value of the fundamental principle of human dignity, particularly in areas related to illness or other vulnerable situations, while taking into consideration both the physical and mental limitations of the person.
- To demonstrate the importance of interpersonal communication in the context of the therapeutic relationship.
- To explain the basics of professional health legislation.
- To analyse and discuss the important implications of social and cultural diversity in understanding health.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB02 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that tend to be demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CE23 - To apply ethical principles to professional practice, undertaking activities with respect for people, their habits, beliefs and cultures while recognising the importance and limitations of scientific thought in the field of Biomedical Sciences.
- CG09 - To be aware of the essential elements of the field of Biomedical Sciences including correct communication and setting out ethical principles.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- To make decisions by introducing ethics as a variable for reflection.
- To have the ability to express ideas freely without violating or offending others.
- To understand the role and responsibility of science and technology in today's society.
Syllabus
1. ETHICS FUNDAMENTALS
- Rational foundations of ethics
- Human consciousness
- Human action
- Virtues and values
- The ethics of social life
2. ETHICS AND LEGISLATION
- Law and rights
- Moral law
- The distinction between morality and legality
- Human rights
- Legislation of clinical practice
- Protection of personal data and confidentiality
- Conflicts of interest
3. APPLIED ETHICS
- Methodological principles of ethical decisions
- History of Bioethics
- Research Ethics: preclinical and clinical
- The beginning of human life
- Fragile life ethics
- Term of human life
- Research Ethics
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is usually taught through theoretical sessions (lectures) and practical sessions, both offered in person. The content of the lectures will consist of the main topics and concepts in the units detailed in the course syllabus. Practical classes will be based mainly on carrying out group work and a practical assignment, in which current cases will be analysed and debated in order to illustrate and deepen the concepts explained earlier.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The pass mark for the Bioethics course is 5. The overall mark is obtained through the weighted average of three activities:
a) Continuous evaluation (35%): resolution of cases in the master classes (in person).
b) Partial exam (40%): written (in person).
c) Final exam (25%): written (in person).
* The minimum grade for each part to pass the course must be higher than 4.5.
Important considerations:
- Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
MANUALS:
- POLAINO, A., Manual de Bioética General, Rialp, 2000.
- CICCONE, L.; Bioética. Historia. Principios. Cuestiones. Palabra, Madrid, 2005.
- SGRECCIA, E., Manual de Bioética I: Fundamentos y Bioética Biomédica, BAC, 2010.
BOOKS:
- ABEL, F., Bioética: orígenes, presente y futuro, Madrid, Institut Borja de Bioética, Fundación Mapfre medicina, reimp., 2001.
- BEAUCHAMPS, T.L., CHILDRESS, F. J., Principios de Bioética Biomédica, Barcelona, Mason 4ª ed., 2000.
- BLAZQUEZ, N., Bioética: La nueva ciencia de la vida. Madrid, BAC, 2000.
- PASTOR L.M., FERRER, M., La bioética en el milenio biotecnológico, Murcia,Sociedad Murciana de Bioética,2001.
- POISSON, J.F. Bioética ¿El hombre contra el hombre?, Rialp, Madrid, 2009.
INTERNET:
- - Bioethicsline www.bioethics.Georgetown.edu/bioline.htm
- - Euroethics www.gwdg.de/-uelsner/entrez/.fcgi
- - Asociación Médica Mundial www.wma.net
- - Canadian Bioethics Society: www.bioethics.ca/english
- - Asociación Europea de Centros de Bioética Médica: www.kuleuven.ac.be/cbmer/eacmeherstel.htm
- - European Bioethical Research: www.bioethics.org.uk
- - Asociación Española de Bioética y Bioética médica: www.aebioetica.org
- - Bioética y Derecho. Universidad de Barcelona: www.Ub.es/fildt/bioetica.htm
- - Centro de Documentación de Bioética del departamento de Humanidades Biomédicas: www.unav.es/cdb
- -Observatorio de Bioética de Valencia: www.observatoriobioetica.com
Evaluation period
- E1 10/12/2024 A10 14:00h
- R1 18/12/2024 A10 16:00h
- E2 18/06/2025 A04 16:00h