Program Overview

– Is ending life part of medicine?

– When should personal freedom be limited in order to benefit others?

– How should gene editing be used and regulated?

– What do biological scientists owe to their research subjects and society?

– Should all reproductive decisions be the choice of the individual?

These are some of the ethical questions that arise within medicine and the life sciences. They need to be considered thoroughly and conclusions about them can change science and medicine. This is the domain of bioethics.

Bioethical reasoning is used to focus discussion; suggest new avenues for progress in healthcare, bioscience, law, and policy; and expose flawed thinking.

The ability to identify ethical issues and use reason to evaluate, discuss and argue about them is a valuable skill. If you are seeking a future in healthcare or the life sciences, these skills increase the value you can contribute to the profession.

The growing awareness that good practice in medicine and bioscience is informed by an understanding of its ethical implications means that studying bioethics strengthens any qualification. Bioethics graduates may use their knowledge to distinguish themselves among graduates in the sciences, medicine, and other disciplines.