THEO8309 Biomedical Ethics

2012

4.5

1 x 2-hour seminar weekly

1 Admission into GCTHS-Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies
1a Admission into GDPTHS-Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies
1b Admission into MTHS-Master of Theological Studies
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b))

THEO3318 has been successfully completed

The topic will introduce students to contemporary discussions on the ethical implications of medicine and health care. The topic will explore the basic principles, secular and Christian, that contribute to analysis of biomedical issues. These principles will then be applied to such issues as: the body and bodily life; health and illness; allocation of health care resources; issues at the beginning of life (e.g., reproductive technologies, abortion, disabled neonates, infanticide); transplantation; research and experimentation; behaviour control; ageing; the terminally ill; dying and death; and euthanasia.

The aims of this topic are to:

• develop the capacity to gather information sufficient and relevant for ethical reflection
• appreciate the contribution that theological ethics can make to current medical and health care issues
• develop the skills of ethical analysis that apply to resolving current issues in biomedicine and health care
• work collaboratively in learning about the resolution of current dilemmas in the area
• be able to contribute to public discourse on biomedical and health care issues from the viewpoint of a Christian ethicist

On completion of this topic students should be able to:

• identify the moral and ethical issues arising from modern medicine and health care
• apply a methodology of ethical reasoning
• incorporate the tradition and resources of Christian theology in the analysis of medical and health care issues
• appreciate the complex issues confronting medical staff and their patients in the field of modern medicine and health care