BSE 745: Medical Ethics at the Beginning and End of Life

Course Description

We will examine issues in medical ethics at the beginning and end of life, namely, those pertaining to abortion, the treatment of newborns, dementia, physician assisted suicide, and euthanasia. We will discuss, among other things, ethics-based versus policy-based arguments, different types of patient interests (short-term experiential interests vs. long-term critical interests), and various prima facie rights (the right to life, the right over one’s body, and the right to die). No graduate credit. 2 professional hours. Approved for S/U grading only. Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled in the Carle Illinois Collage of Medicine.