Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 201044

Coordinator Patrick Foong Opens in new window

Description This subject covers the ethical and legal issues associated with medical practice and research, including issues raised by new developments in biotechnology. Topics covered include the following: the nature of moral thinking, issues of life and death, experimentation and research involving human subjects, genetic technology, new reproductive technologies, consent and confidentiality.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 2013 AND
LAWS 1009

Equivalent Subjects JUST 2002 - Bioethics

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Critically apply major ethical theories and concepts to biomedical issues and problems.
2. Engage in critical, interdisciplinary analysis of the causes, consequences and problems of contemporary patterns of health and illness and biomedical research.
3. Examine ethical and legal issues raised by recent developments in biotechnology.
4. Apply relevant ethical and legal ideas to practical bioethical problem situations and biomedical law reform.

Subject Content

1. Introduction to bioethics law
2. Medical and health ethics and law
3. Health and medical research
4. Biotechnology: Cloning and stem cell research
5. Genetic technology 
6. Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
7. Consent, confidentiality and privacy
8. Surrogacy
9. Euthanasia