CHB4204

Legal issues in bioethics

(ART)

Justin Oakley, Bernadette McSherry (on campus); John McKie (distance education)

12 points + 2 hours per week + First or second semester + Clayton + Distance education students can take this subject in either semester + Prerequisite: CHB4101 and CHB4203, or equivalent

Synopsis: This subject provides a framework for understanding the role and impact of law in areas of concern in bioethics, and considers how ethical and social debate can affect the process of law reform. It initially examines what values the state ought to be committed to, and the justifiable limits on legislative intervention. This is followed by an examination of the current law and legal approach to areas of bioethical concern, such as abortion, prenatal diagnosis, IVF, embryo experimentation, informed consent, confidentiality, and euthanasia. The process of legal change and development and its relationship to scientific advances and ethical debate will also be discussed.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 20% + Essay (3000 words): 30% + Take-home exam (4000 words): 50%