TDG – Promotion of the Reflection, Dialogue and Teaching of Ethical Issues Related to the Development and Uses of Biotechnologies Among Students and Faculty Members of Health-Related Sciences at the University of Hong Kong

Abstract

The first objective of the project was to enhance the awareness of the ethical issues related to bio-technology and to promote dialogues of its impacts in HKU. To this end, we organized 20 seminars, with 8 opened to the public. Six seminars were conducted by overseas speakers from U.K., U.S.A., Australia and Germany. The number of participants attending these seminars ranged from 40 to 80. The seminars were attended by an average of 60 people and covered topics from “The human genome project and its social implications” to “Ethical goals of caring patients with end-stage disease: an American perspective”.

The second purpose was to train faculty members in non-healthcare disciplines in bioethics. To this end, we organized 3 whole-day Workshops in Bioethics opened only to HKU graduate students, staff members and faculty members. The basic principles of bioethics were presented, followed by a practicum of case analysis. Each workshop was attended by an average of 45 people and a certificate of completion was issued.

The third purpose was to develop skills in clinical ethics analysis based on a Case-Based Learning approach for healthcare-related students. To achieve this, we collected over 50 clinical cases from local hospitals suitable for use in the training of health-related professionals. A 12-Step method of ethical analysis of clinical cases was developed as part of the project. The 12-Step method and some of these cases were posted at the website of the Medical Ethics Unit.

The last purpose of the project was to provide a “venue”, a University Bioethics Website for continuing campus-wide dialogue, discussion and debate of bioethical issues, as well as dissemination of information. To achieve this, a website on Biothics was set up http://www.hku.hk/bioeth

Deliverables