Bioethics and Law

Course Information

Registration Information

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
TUE, WED 1:15 - 2:05 pm JON 6.257

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Final exam May 14, 2015 8:30 am A-Z in 2.123

Description

This course examines the legal, ethical, and policy issues that arise at the intersection of law, medicine, and new technology, especially as they affect medical practices at the beginning and end of life. The topics addressed involve issues of interest to health care providers, families, patients, policymakers, and health lawyers. It will be especially useful for those interested in health law. No special knowledge or background in science, medicine, or bioethics is necessary. This course will focus on issues of human experimentation and innovation generally, and decision-making at the end of life. We will study the right to refuse necessary medical care, competency, active and passive euthanasia, withholding treatment from incompetent or comatose patients, decision-making roles for family, hospital ethics committees, and the courts, brain death and organ transplantation. We will also address issues of rationing care at the end of life (the so-called "death panels" canard that arose in the national debate over health insurance reform). The course will meet twice a week for 50 minute sessions. Attendance at the panel on Bioethics at the Law and Science Symposium on January 30, 2015 will also be required. There will be a final exam, and up to 5 short papers on assigned reading or problems. This course is open to Freshlaws.

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

Bioethics: Health Care Law and Ethics *
Furrow et al
Thomson/west , edition: 7th
ISBN: 9780314279897

Instructors

Headshot of Robertson, John A. Robertson, John A.
Log In to View Course Evaluations