MCE5213 · Ethics and governance of medically assisted reproduction

Overview

This unit examines the current legislation and regulations governing the clinical practice of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and related research, nationally and internationally. It describes the role of ethical frameworks and principles in health decision-making and analyses regulation in ART with respect to underlying moral and ethical principles. An introduction to ethical problem solving is presented. The major ethical issues raised by assisted reproductive technologies are examined and critically evaluated.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Recognise the role of ethics in health care and legal decision-making and apply ethical frameworks and principles when analysing conflicts and solving problems;
2. Evaluate and compare the diverse and often conflicting views about current ART practices present in local and world communities,
3. Apply an ethical framework when interpreting specific legal and ethical issues, such as gamete and embryo donation, embryo experimentation, surrogacy, cloning, stem cell research, genetic selection and manipulation;
4. Recognise the social and ethical responsibilities as a health care professional and with regard to patient care
5. Be able to describe the current major legislative and non-legislative schemes for regulating ART in Australia and have some knowledge of how the Australian situation compares with other countries;
6. Argue for and against ethical concerns raised by current and future ART practices

Workload

Four hours of teacher directed study per week, including ~three hours of lecture content and ~one hour of tutorials. Twelve hours of self-directed study per week = 16 hours per week over an 7-week period

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.