Exploring Bioethics - NIH Office of Science Education - National ...

Issues Explored• What are ethical questions? Why are they important?• How are ethical questions different from other kinds of questions?• What strategies exist for addressing ethical questions?• What major considerations should people take into account when addressingethical questions?At a GlancePurpose and RationaleAs a result of new scientific discoveries, students will be faced with challengingdecisions, as citizens, as consumers, and maybe even as scientists.This module introduces bioethics concepts and skills that will help studentsthink like bioethicists when confronted with an ethical question.With these tools, students will recognize the importance of providing reasonsfor their positions.OverviewModule 1 introduces the interdisciplinary field of bioethics, which appliesethical reasoning to choices raised by advances in biology. Students learnabout a way of thinking (using four key questions and paying attention tocore ethical considerations) that they apply within all the Exploring Bioethicsmodules. Because Module 1 presents foundational concepts and ideas,it should be taught before any of the other modules.Students examine how ethical considerations of respect for persons, minimizingharms while maximizing benefits, and fairness pertain to casesof enhancement, particularly in sports. They also look at the concept ofauthenticity, and then practice making strong justifications for a positionbased on all these ethical considerations, the scientific facts, and logic.Learning ObjectivesStudents will• understand that ethical inquiry uses a set of concepts and skills aimedat analyzing challenging situations and making decisions about the bestcourse of action;• distinguish ethical questions from scientific and legal questions andfrom questions of personal preference, custom, or habit;1-2 Exploring Bioethics