Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Bioethics and Legislation in Research

Bioethics and Legislation in Research
4
15593
1
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Teaching staff


Students are requested to email to arrange a meeting.

Dr. Ignacio MACPHERSON - imacpherson@uic.es

Introduction

The classes are a simple but comprehensive approach to the basic concepts of the field of bioethics, a multidisciplinary approach to the most challenging moral and policy issues that scientists and practitioners face.

The classes for the course comprise two parts:
1. Human experimentation. Study of different cases and situations which enable the analysis of the most important aspects when evaluating claims that research using people is ethically correct.
2. Experimental animal. Approach to the basic concepts related to the animal science lab, a multidisciplinary branch of science that contributes to the humanitarian use of animals in the context of biomedical research and obtaining reproducible results, unbiased and informative.

Pre-course requirements

By the nature of the subject, it is aimed at health science students entering the field of research and practice.

The student must have a minimum knowledge of written English, since the contents of the course will be primarily in English.

Objectives

Provide adequate training for students to be able to reflect on the ethical aspects of their practices as well as to present the ethical standards that they will encounter throughout their career.

Provide appropriate training so that students are able to investigate human beings in accordance with the principles of ethics and apply scientific and technical knowledge to Science Laboratory Animals in experimental Biomedical Research.

Syllabus

The moral phenomenon

Ethical rationality and moral judgments

Good and dignity

Freedom and autonomy

Human action 

Underlying principles of human acts

Indicators of morality

Moral law

Human conscience    

Modalities of conscience

Principles to follow one's conscience

The virtues and values           

Nature and acquisition of virtue.

The fundamental virtues

Ethics dilemas

The lesser evil

Double effect

Cooperation to evil

Principles of Bioethics

Principialist bioethics

Personalist bioethics

Origin and development of Bioethics

Definition of Bioethics

Brief historical panorama

Founding models in Bioethics

Methodological principles of ethical decisions          

Ethical components of human acts

Analysis of the moral decision of the health professional

Stages in the decision making process

The ethics of research with human beings

History of human experimentation

Genetic experimentation and embryo experimentation

Informed Consent and Research Committees

Introduction to animal experimentation

Animal research as an ethical dilemma

Ethical guidelines for the use of animals in biomedical research

Legal framework and Animal Ethics Committees

Teaching and learning activities

Online



  • Virtual lessons
  • Independent and supervised work
  • Case studies
  • Collective discussion and learning

Evaluation systems and criteria

Online



  • Participation in online forums about CASES (40%)
  • Continuous evaluation through TEST on documents (60%)

Bibliography and resources

A. Manuals


English


1. Vaughn, L., “Bioethics. Principles, Issues, and Cases”, 2nd edition (2012), Oxford University Press.

2. Murphy, T.F., “Case Studies in Biomedical Research Ethics”, 1st edition (2004), The MIT Press.

3. Veatch, R.M., Haddad, A.M., English, D.C., “Case Studies in Biomedical Ethics”, 1st edition (2009), Oxford University Press.

4. Beauchamp, T.L., Childress, J.F., “Principles of Biomedical Ethics”, 7th edition (2012), Oxford University Press.


Spanish


5. Tomás, G.M., Postigo, E., “Bioética personalista: ciencia y controversias”, Ediciones Internacionales Universitarias, S.A., 2007.


6. Sgreccia, E., “Manual de Bioética I (Fundamentos y ética biomédica)”, B.A.C. 2009.


7. Sgreccia, E., “Manual de Bioética II (Aspectos medico sociales)”, B.A.C. 2014.


8. Jonas, H., “Técnica, Medicina y Ética”, 1997, Paidos.


B. Online documents

1. Hippocratic Oath: http://goo.gl/fZ1RoN

2. Nuremberg Code: http://goo.gl/qPlOAz (Text) http://goo.gl/CMKnSe (Video)

3. Helsinki Declaration: http://goo.gl/MvzHvc

4. The Belmont Report: http://goo.gl/Wwf0mn

5. Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo, 4.IV.1997): http://goo.gl/pRrVEo (Text) http://goo.gl/mesCtK (Article)

6. Spanish Basic Law 41/2002 on the autonomy of the patient and the rights and obligations with regard to clinical information and documentation: http://goo.gl/wEIwkU

7. Regulations on Clinical Trials (European Commission): http://goo.gl/aCJOfg

C. Codes of Ethics for dentists


1. European Union: Code of Ethics for Dentists: http://goo.gl/idKmkA 
2. American Dental Association: http://goo.gl/rq8yxp 
3. Basic Ethics in Dentistry. The Academy of Dental Learning & OSHA Training: http://goo.gl/OLO5da

D. Web Sites 


1. Bioedge: http://www.bioedge.org/
2. Bioethics Site: http://www.bioeticaweb.com
3. Documentación Bioética UNAV: http://www.unav.es/cdb/