MCE1213 - Regulation and ethics in assisted reproductive technologies

Leader: Ms Giuliana Fuscaldo & Dr Sally Catt

Offered

Clayton Second semester (extended) 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

Examines the role of legislation, regulations and ethics in decision-making about clinical human IVF practice and research. The organizational structure, international regulations and laws governing human IVF clinics, the audit processes essential to the conduct of an efficient IVF program, and the role of ethics committees in regulating in vitro fertilization research will also be covered. Ethical issues such as surrogacy, gamete donation, ovarian transplantation, ART and single parents will be examined along with the controversial issue of embryo experimentation.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will:

1. possess a sound knowledge and understanding of the international legislation and regulations that apply in clinical human IVF;
2. show familiarity with the main approaches used to formulate different ethical stances;
3. demonstrate familiarity with and an ability to analyse ethical issues that can arise in human IVF clinical practice;
4. be informed about the operation of research ethics committees;
5. be competent in the critical ethical analysis of case studies relevant to IVF clinical practice;
6. have begun to devise a consistent individual framework for ethical decision making in clinical human IVF;
7. have the ability to communicate this knowledge.

Assessment

Written open book examination (2 hours): 50%
Presentation of journal review: 20%
Essay (2,500 words): 30%

Contact hours

6 weeks (first 5 weeks - two 1-hour lectures, 1-hour tutorial, 1.5-hour seminar, 1.5-hour journal review), 2-hour revision tutorial in week 6