Teaching bioethics

Abstract

From accessible and affordable health care to old or new reproductive technologies, human or animal research, and beyond, the justice and well-being of our society depends on the ability of key groups-such as scientists and health care providers-along with members of the public to identify the key issues, articulate their values and concerns, deliberate openly and respectfully, and together find the most defensible ways forward. The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues and The Hastings Center are committed to improving the ethical literacy of the American public in the domain of bioethics. But what are the best educational practices to spur and support these sorts of societal conversations? And where are the greatest gaps in our collective knowledge of how best to inspire and increase moral understanding, analytical thinking in the moral domain, and professional integrity?