LAW7074

Legal issues in bioethics

(LAW)

Oakley

6 points + One 2-hour seminar per week + Clayton

Synopsis: The role of law in in bioethics. How ethical and social debate can affect the process of law reform.Views about the values the state ought to be committed to. Justifiable limits of legislative intervention and approaches to the formulation of public policy in a democratic pluralist society. The current law and legal approach (particularly in Australia) 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.

Assessment: Research paper (3000 words): 40% + Take home examination (3750 words): 50% + Class participation: 10%