General Bioethics

Code:

PDB001

Acronym:

PDB001

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Ethics in Health Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Doctoral Programme in Bioethics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
PDB	38	Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	60	162

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

The essential aim of the Curricular Unit of General Bioethics  is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in Bioethics, namely in very specific areas. Especially in what concerns the technical and operational dimensions of this area. In the conceptual plan the aims are the acquisition and knowledge of the core concepts in Bioethics

Learning outcomes and competences

With this curricular unit the student should be equipped with the skills and competences to discuss any topic in the field of Bioethics. The student must also be adequately prepared to make a regular update in this area.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Distinction between ethics, morality and law. Main ethical theories.

2- Concept of human dignity and fundamental human rights. Natural right and its foundations on a biology-driven anthropology.

3- Bioethics and environment.

4- Concept of bioethics according to Van Potter. A new  trans and interdisciplinary  field. Medical ethics as a branch of bioethics and as the foundation of professional deontology. Ethics codes.

5- The principles of biomedical ethics (Beauchamp and Childress): respect for personal autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.

6- The ethical and juridical doctrine of informed consent as the materialization of the respect for individual self-determination.

7- Introduction to the problem of cell, tissue and organ transplantation.

8- Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Council of Europe).

9- Nacional Council on Ethics for the Life Sciences.

Mandatory literature

1- Beauchamp, T. & Childress, J.; Principles of Biomedical Ethics, New York: Oxford University Press, 2013
2- Gillon, R.; Principles of Heath Care Ethics, Londres: Wiley, Londres, 1994
3- Nunes, R.; Testamento Vital, Coimbra: Almedina, 2011
4- Nunes, R.; Gene-Ética, Coimbra: Almedina, 2013
5- Donald, M. ; Origens do Pensamento Moderno, Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 1999

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies have different strategies: a) Theoretical Lectures: about different themes related to the Curricular Unit; b) Seminars: Prepared and guided discussion of specific themes, defined in advance, with the participation of professors and students; c) Group Work: Pedagogical activity of analysis and problem solving, orientated by the professors and actively prepared by the students; and d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Trabalho escrito	102,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The Continuous Assessment is performed by the responsible professor for the group of students who attend the Curricular Unit. An assessment of the whole pedagogical process and of the evolution of each student's capacities is at stake: Evolution in the communication skills, evolution of the human relation, of the regular attendance in the Curricular Unit, of the interest and participation in the pedagogic process, and, finally, of the theoretical and practical knowledge. It is possible to make use of audio-visual techniques.

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final Assessment of the curricular unit is made by the Continuous Assessment (50%) and a Final Examination that evaluates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge (50%).