Ateneo - UPO

The course involves reading and discussing the TSLB Code of Ethics, analysing certain current regulations governing ethical conduct in the context of work carried out within the public administration, and the presentation – followed by a class discussion – of a number of moral dilemmas in the field of healthcare bioethics.

The study material consists of the TSLB Code of Ethics, specific regulations regarding work within the Public Administration, and the handouts provided during lectures.

The course aims to provide students with the tools to understand the Code of Ethics for Biomedical Laboratory Technicians, to internalize the regulations governing ethical conduct within the Public Administration, and to critically examine and analyze key questions in clinical bioethics.

None, except for any prerequisites specified in the curriculum.

Lecture and discussion of illustrative cases, including the use of audiovisual materials.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

oral examination

For teaching purposes, the course is usually divided into five sessions of four hours each.

Lesson 1
Introduction to Ethics: definitions. Observations on ancient and modern thinking regarding the concept of ethics, and the evolution of morality in society. The concept of professional responsibility, with classroom case studies. Introduction to professional ethics: definitions and implications in the professional sphere. Presentation of the Ethical Charter promoted by the Order of TSRMs and PSTRPs and of the new code of ethics for TSLBs. Introduction to Bioethics: fields of application and links to the profession. The Corporate Ethics Committee: organisation and duties.
Lesson 2
Prescriptive ethics and descriptive ethics: definitions and case studies, with discussion. Reading and analysis of the new code of ethics (part one). Legal aspects and professional obligations. Human cloning and eugenics: bioethical aspects, moral choices and schools of thought. Italian and international legislation governing the genetic manipulation of embryos. Overview of Law 40/2004, Title VI, concerning the manipulation of human embryos and assisted reproduction. Screening of excerpts from an audiovisual piece (from ‘Gattaca’, A. Niccol, 1997) relating to the topic under discussion, followed by a classroom discussion.
Lesson 3
Private and public ethics: moral conduct; presentation of selected case studies and discussion. Reading and analysis of the new code of ethics (part two): critical issues surrounding ethical choices and the sharing of ideas from the perspective of pluralism and respect for the individual. The concept of end-of-life care: euthanasia and palliative care. Excessive medical treatment. The right to life and human dignity; the acceptability of illness and suffering. Death: the history of the inevitable and regulatory aspects. Screening of excerpts from an audiovisual piece (from *The Diving Bell and the Butterfly*, J. Schnabel, 2007) and discussion on the topic covered.
Lesson 4
The concept of an ‘ethical dilemma’: practical examples and professional implications. Conscientious objection for healthcare professionals: what the law says. Reading and analysis of the new code of ethics (third and final part). An overview of the responsibilities of healthcare professionals and the balance between morality and duty. Sanctions within the ethical framework. Voluntary termination of pregnancy: Law 194/78, its application and the moral choice. The philosophical concept of the gratuitousness of the gift and the donation of organs and tissues from living donors and cadavers. Italian law on donations and the concept of prosociality in donation. Screening of excerpts from an audiovisual presentation (from ‘Seven Souls’, G. Muccino, 2008) and classroom discussion.
Lesson 5
The ethical principles of ‘beneficence’, ‘non-maleficence’, ‘justice’ and ‘self-determination’ (J. Childress, 1979) in healthcare practice. Respect for the ecosystem: ethics applied to the concept of the biosphere. Artificial intelligence and the future of moral choices: the new frontiers of ethics. Screening of excerpts from an audiovisual presentation (from *The Power of the Mind*, M. Nichols, 2000) and classroom discussion.

During the first lesson, at the students’ request, it is possible to amend or supplement part of the syllabus, in line with reasonably justified learning needs.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge and skills relating to professional conduct, the ethics of public sector employees and the associated regulations. They will also have gained an understanding of the bioethical moral dilemmas associated with the profession of TSLB and will have developed the ability to make judgements on these matters.