Bioethics

Teaching semester

Autumn. The registration deadline for enrollment in the course is Thursday in week 2 for the spring semester/Thursday in week 33 for the autumn semester. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a spot in Studentweb no later than Tuesday the week after the deadline.

The first lecture/orientation meeting is compulsory, which means you will lose your spot if you do not attend class that day. The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on the ¿Mitt UiB¿ learning platform.

Objectives and Content

Objectives and Content

The contents of a given semester will to a considerable degree reflect current public debate, national and international laws and proposed legislation as well as current biotechnological research. Topics to be covered include: testing for genetic markers, gene therapy, cloning, stem cells, assisted (in vitro) fertilization, xeno-transplantation, use of animal for research, food production and genetically modified plants. Understanding and the use of ethical principles will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on active participation by the students in the class, where they may contribute themselves to the contents of the course. The course is available for students from different faculties.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The student

• can explain philosophical, ethical, juridical and biological aspects of current bioethical issues
• knows the basis for normative ethics
• has knowledge about national and international laws concerning biotechnology and bioethical issues
• has an overview of current trends in biotechnology
• has an overview of important ethical issues including gene therapy, inheritance, in vitro fertilization, stem cells and cloning, xenotransplantation, use of animals in research and food production, and genetic modification of plants

Skills

The student

• can recognize ethical dilemmas in public discussions

General competance

The student

• can communicate knowledge about bioethical problems and questions.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Lectures and practical task, and a term paper.

Forms of Assessment

Approved term paper.

Grading Scale

Pass/fail mark.

Subject Overlap

MNF220: 3 sp