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Introduction to Bioethics
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:34:02
Abstract
This course introduces ethical theories used in the justification of the application of biotechnologies. An overview of key bioethical questions concerning the moral status of humans and questions regarding human nature will provide the background to critically reflect on specific bioethical topics such as informed consent, euthanasia, reproductive medicine, enhancement and stem cell research.
Objective
After successful completion of the course, students will be able to critically reflect and discuss different ethical positions ((non)-consequentialism, contractualism and principlism), issues (moral status of humans) and topics related to bioethics (informed consent, euthanasia, reproductive medicine, stem cell research, enhancement, animal testing, and genetic engineering in agriculture).
Content
Bioethics is a vast field that covers animal ethics (selective breeding, animal experiments) environmental ethics (the value of nature) and medical ethics (involving topics such as informed consent, organ transplantation, euthanasia, reproductive medicine, stem cell research, gene therapy and enhancement). Moral intuitions and judgements in these areas diverge. This is partly due to different cultural backgrounds but can also be traced back to different views regarding fundamental concepts involved in these debates such as personhood, autonomy, consciousness and the aims of medicine that play a role in the justification of biotechnologies. These differences have led to heightened tension in the political realm in various societies all over the world. In the face of this kind of moral pluralism an important role that philosophical ethics can play, is to offer systematic arguments regarding moral matters, question platitudes and analyze the existing concepts that play a role in the assessment of biotechnologies and treatments. The aim of this seminar is thus to provide the participants with the tools to reflect on their own moral standpoints and to better understand opposing views, in order to further constructive discourse in these areas. The course will follow an introductory work by Marcus Düwell “Bioethics: Methods, Theories and Domains”, while supplementing this with key, classical readings. For a positive grade, students will be required to hand in three homework assignments on topics discussed in the book, present a paper in groups on a bioethical topic of their choice and submit an essay of 3000 words, ideally on the topic of their presentation.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 50
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Introduction to Bioethics
Der Blockkurs wird in den Räumlichkeiten des D-BSSE in Basel stattfinden:
01.04. | 20.05. – Raum: BSS E21
26.05. | 27.05. - Raum: BSS E27
|
|
20 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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Typ B: Reflexion über fachspezifische Methoden und Inhalte (Fachspezifische Lerneinheiten. Relevant für alle Studierenden, die sich für diese Kurse interessieren. Diese Lerneinheiten sind alle auch unter "Typ A" aufgelistet, d.h. die Einschreibung ist allen Studierenden möglich.)
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D-BSSE (Im Frühjahrssemester werden keine Lehrveranstaltungen angeboten.)
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