IFMSA Ireland International Conference 2004

Windows Into Medicine
Medical ethics: Beginning of life issues

Dr T Everett Julyan, Glasgow, UK

Overview

1. Why do we need medical ethics?
2. What are medical ethics?
3. How can we decide what is ethical and what is not?
4. Beginning of life issues: Delegates may choose from abortion, stem cells, etc.

The first 15 minutes of my workshop will consist of a short presentation on why we need medical ethics, what medical ethics are and how we can decide on what is ethical and what is not. This will include a (brief) overview of the history of ethical thinking from Hippocrates to the present day with interactive discussion on the pros and cons of different frameworks. A 45 minute interactive session will follow, involving small group work. Delegates will have a choice of beginning of life issues to discuss, including abortion, cloning, stem cell research, contraception, or any other topics requested.

Key references

• Stone D. Introduction to ethics. Christian Medical Fellowship, CMF Files Number 1, 1998.
• Beachamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
• British Medical Association Ethics Department. Medical Ethics Today. 2nd ed. London: BMJ Books, 2004:1-22, 224-306.

Other references

• British Medical Association. Ethics.
• Gillon R. Defending "the four principles" approach to biomedical ethics. Journal of Medical Ethics 1995;21(6):323-324.
• Clouser KD, Gert B. A critique of principlism. Journal of Medicine & Philosophy. 1990;15(2):219-36.
• Harris J. In praise of unprincipled ethics. Journal of Medical Ethics. 2003;29(5):303-6.
• Tomlinson T. Balancing Principles in Beauchamp and Childress.
• Ethics for Schools - click on "Site Map" for list of topics.
• BioNews. News, information and comment in assisted reproduction and genetics.
• Hinman LM. Theories Against Theories: Recent Developments.
• United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.
• The Hippocratic Oath.