News from the Centre
May 2009
Presentation by Prof. Peter Singer
Professor Peter Singer, IRA W De Camp Professor of Bioethics; Princeton University and Laureate Professor; University of Melbourne, will present the sixth Arts Public Lecture, 'Understanding Ethics', on the 4th of June 2009 at 6pm at BMW Edge, Federation Square. Prof. Singer and Assoc. Prof. Helga Kuhse set up the Centre for Human Bioethics in 1980 (more info.).
Peter will discuss and explore the foundations of his own conclusions on a range of controversial ethical issues related to recent work in animal studies, psychology and the neurosciences which has greatly enhanced our understanding of the nature of ethics. What implications does this sort of work have for our own decisions about how we ought to live? Do the findings undermine traditional ideas about the objectivity of ethics? Is there still a role for reason to play in ethics? Peter will also try and address such issues as these.
We hope to see you there and ask that you register your attendance via the Arts Public Lectures site.
January 2009
Centre for Human Bioethics now part of the new Global Alliance of Biomedical Ethics Centers (GABEX)
The Centre for Human Bioethics has become a member of a new Global Alliance of Biomedical Ethics Centers (GABEX), an international network established to further develop collaborative research and teaching links between eight of the world's leading bioethics centres. The network is co-ordinated by the University of Tokyo Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, and its members include the Hastings Center in New York, the National Institutes of Health Department of Bioethics in Washington DC, and the Ethox Centre at Oxford University. Members of the Alliance are due to meet in mid-March, so further information will be available soon. Please see also the announcement from the University of Tokyo of the establishment of the network.
August 2008
Congratulations to Professor Peter Singer
On the 18th of August, the winners of the Monash University 50th Anniversary Research Awards were announced at a function at Government House, Melbourne. Prof. Peter Singer was one of four Faculty of Arts researchers recognised by these Awards. Prof. Singer's many works in bioethics and applied philosophy have set the agenda in those fields for several decades. The influence of his work and his contribution to public debates nationally and internationally will be felt for many years to come. Prof. Singer and Assoc. Prof. Helga Kuhse established the Centre for Human Bioethics in 1980 as Australia's first research centre devoted to bioethics. Prof. Singer is now the Ira W. Decamp Professor of Bioethics in the Center for Human Values, Princeton, and Laureate Professor, at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, University of Melbourne.
July 2008
Intensive Bioethics Workshop held in Darwin
Associate Professor Justin Oakley and Dr Rob Sparrow ran a two-day Intensive Bioethics Workshop at the Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, on April 28–29. The workshop featured seminars on ethical theories and frameworks, informed consent, the commercialisation of medicine and science, indigenous health and human rights, the ethics of the federal government intervention in aboriginal communities, end-of-life decision making, current issues for research ethics committees, and the ethics of international research in developing countries. Justin also gave a public lecture at the Menzies School of Health Research on ‘Virtue ethics and physician-industry conflicts of interest’.
Gerontology conference presentation
Earlier in April Dr Rob Sparrow presented a paper, ‘In the hands of machines? The future of aged care’, at the Australian Association of Gerontology (NSW Division) Conference, held at the University of Wollongong.
Presentation on public reporting of health care data
Associate Professor Justin Oakley presented a paper, ‘Should surgeon performance information be withheld from patients because of concerns about defensive surgery?’ at an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Public Safety one-day seminar, ‘Public Reporting of Health Care Data’, held at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, on May 23.
Mexico City workshop on virtue ethics and bioethics
From June16–20, Associate Professor Justin Oakley participated in a workshop and seminars on virtue ethics and bioethics, run by the Center for Research in Applied Ethics and Values, and the Faculty of Bioethics, at Anáhuac University in Mexico City. Justin was keynote speaker at a workshop on his and Dean Cocking’s book, Virtue Ethics and Professional Roles (Cambridge University Press, 2001) and presented seminars on virtue ethics and clinical practice, personal and professional integrity, professional detachment, human dignity, informed consent, and report cards on individual surgeon performance.
Justin also presented a public lecture at Anáhuac University on conflicts of interest in physician-patient relationships, and he lectured on the principles and practice of informed consent, at the National Hospital for Children in Mexico City. Professor Rafael Garcia Pavon, who organised Justin’s visit, is planning to translate into Spanish Virtue Ethics and Professional Roles, and some of Justin’s work on surgeon report cards.
Global ethics conference presentation
In June, Dr Rob Sparrow presented a paper, ‘If people were movies? Free speech and free association’, at the Second Biennial Conference of the International Global Ethics Association, Melbourne.
Stem cell ethics panel at Asian Studies conference
Associate Professor Justin Oakley presented a paper on ‘Current ethical issues in stem cell research’, at a panel on this topic at the Asian Studies Association of Australia 17th Biennial Conference, in Melbourne, in July. Also on the panel was Professor Hongkui Deng, one of China’s leading stem cell researchers.
Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference presentations by Centre staff
Dr Rob Sparrow and Associate Professor Justin Oakley both presented papers at the Australasian Association of Philosophy Annual Conference organised by LaTrobe University, and held in central Melbourne, during July. Rob presented a paper, ‘Better than men? Sexual dimorphism and human enhancement’, and Justin presented a paper, ‘Virtue ethics and public policy’. Rob also presented an invited paper ‘Racism, rights, and responsibility’, as part of a symposium on ‘Apology, Forgiveness, and Indigenous Rights’, at the AAP conference.
Congratulations to our students
Warm congratulations to Paul Biegler, who was recently awarded his PhD for a thesis entitled Autonomy and Ethical Treatment in Depression. Paul is the Centre’s thirteenth PhD graduate.
Congratulations also to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 10,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Sally Fornaro Is the guiding principle of respect for individual autonomy really at odds with respect for cultural diversity?
- Esther Knapp What are the ethical issues of HIV status nondisclosure to pediatric patients?
- Silvana Marasco When, if ever, is it ethically acceptable to withdraw treatment of a mechanical ventricular assist device?
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
January - April 2008
Praise for 2007 Intensive Bioethics Course
The 2007 Intensive Bioethics Course, held in the first week of December, was again a success. The course was held at Marylands Country House in Marysville, Victoria, instead of our usual venue, Mt Buffalo Chalet, which remains closed. Evaluations of the course from participants included the following: ‘The sequence of lectures was excellent, each built on the last. Highest quality of subjects and presentation material.’ ‘All presentations were of an excellent standard, with ample discussion and flexibility.’ ‘I thought the course’s ability to raise difficult issues and to solve them was most valuable, as well as the group process and the diversity of the participants.’ ‘A great week ... It is the best five days that I have spent at a conference.’ ‘[The discussions were] highly thought-provoking and challenging. [They] bring a practical aspect to the theory.’ ‘A wide range of disciplines/backgrounds of participants adds to the richness of the discussion.’ ‘A truly professional course. Well constructed, sequence excellent, subject matter ideal and very inspiring speakers.’ ‘Excellent! All thought-provoking and well delivered.’ ‘Overall exceptional.’
The 2008 Intensive Bioethics Course will be held from 23–28 November, again at Marylands Country House, Marysville, Victoria.
Promotion for Rob Sparrow
Dr Rob Sparrow has been promoted by Monash from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, from January 2008. Congratulations to Rob on this recognition of his achievements.
Linda Barclay appointed to Clinical Ethics Committee
Dr Linda Barclay was appointed as a member of the Southern Health Clinical Ethics Committee in February 2008. Southern Health joins a growing number of Australian health care providers to have established a clinical ethics committee in their organisation.
Conference presentations by Centre Director
Associate Professor Justin Oakley presented a paper, ‘Should surgeon performance information be withheld from patients due to concerns about defensive surgery?’ at the Australasian Bioethics Association conference, held at the University of Melbourne in December, and at the New Zealand Bioethics Conference, held at the University of Otago, Dunedin, in February.
Seminar presentations by Rob Sparrow
Dr Rob Sparrow presented a talk on the future of the environment and social change at the ‘Rainbow Serpent Festival’, a three-day music and cultural festival held outside Melbourne in January. Rob also presented a seminar to the Melbourne ‘Heart of Philosophy Café’ on the topic ‘Should Human Beings have sex?’
Visit by South Korea delegation investigating ethics in science
In February the Centre was visited by a delegation of six scholars from Chungbuk National University, South Korea. The delegation, led by Professor Hwashin Ryoo, was investigating the teaching of ethics to scientists and science students, in light of the cloning scandal involving South Korean stem cell scientist Professor Hwang Woosuk. The delegation held useful discussions with Centre staff about the Centre’s teaching programs, and about various approaches to teaching bioethics to scientists and health professionals.
Seminars by Rob Sparrow on the ethics of military robotics
In February Dr Rob Sparrow presented seminars on the ethics of military robotics at Georgia Tech, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the Strategy and Doctrine Program at RAND Corporation, as part of his research on the ARC Discovery Project, ‘Good Soldiers and Ethical Soldiers’. Rob also presented a paper in January on the ethics of robotic weapons, at a Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics workshop on Political Violence.
Next WHO Fellowship recipient announced
The latest recipient of the Monash-WHO Bioethics Fellowship is Master of Bioethics (by research) candidate Jennifer Brown. Jennifer will spend three months during 2008 as an intern at the World Health Organization Department of Ethics, Trade and Human Rights and Health Law (ETH), in Geneva. We congratulate Jennifer on being awarded this Fellowship, and wish her well for her time at WHO.
October 2007
New book on ethics of publishing clinician performance information
Centre Director A/Prof Justin Oakley and Dr Steve Clarke have co-edited a new book, Informed Consent and Clinician Accountability: The ethics of report cards on surgeon performance, published by Cambridge University Press, 2007. The book is the first to examine the ethical issues involved in providing patients with clinician performance information, such as data showing each cardiac surgeon’s death rate for heart surgery. This sort of information is currently available to the public in several US states and in the UK, but is not publicly available in Australia. The edited collection came out of a NHMRC-funded project led by Oakley and Clarke, and contains twenty chapters, with contributions from bioethicists, surgeons, medical administrators, epidemiologists, and lawyers.
Conference on health care apologies
Justin Oakley gave a keynote address on ‘The Morality of Not Apologising’ at a national conference on The Power of Apology in Health Care, held in Melbourne during September. The conference focused on issues raised by clinicians apologising to patients for adverse events.
Congratulations to our students
Congratulations to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 9,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Natasha Frawley Is parental consent required to experiment on neonates?
- Georgina Hall The cloning conundrum: Should human reproductive cloning sit on the reproductive rights continuum?
- Megan Hanley What are the ethical implications of carers feeding competent adults with swallowing problems texture modified food and drink against their will?
- Kate Malisani Do surgeon report cards have an effect on patients?
- Lisa Parker Is consent always necessary for the use of human tissue in medical research?
- Madeleine Perrottet What should be the role of medical practitioners in the interrogation of prisoners?
- Trisha Prentice Is Kuhse correct in her moral assessment of letting die and its subsequent application within the medical context of intellectually disabled infants?
- Dianne Scaddan Harriton v Stephens: When is life a harm?
- Suchana Sova Exploitation and international biomedical research: Does overcoming exploitation morally require giving a share of royalty rights to the participants and their host nation?
- Joseph Suttie The international transplantation community’s response to commercial transplantation programs that harvest organs from executed priosners.
- Kyoko Wada Questioning the appropriateness of family members to stand as a surrogate for the incompetent patient.
- Nicole Wells Are there any plausible concerns with human-to-animal neural chimeric embryos?
- Vicki Xafis Research participants with potentially reduced decisional capacity due to mental illness or cognitive impairment: Is the consent process in Australia problematic?
Copies of these and other research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
July 2007
Welcome to Emma Pennell
Our newest staff member, Ms Emma Pennell joined the Centre in May as Flexible Learning Officer for the School of Philosophy and Bioethics and Production Editor of Monash Bioethics Review. Emma has experience in journal production at Australian National University, among other things. We extend a warm welcome to Emma.
Farewell to Richard Foster
Monash Bioethics Review Production Editor and Flexible Learning Officer Richard Foster left Monash in April to take up a new position at a local council. We thank Richard for his work on the journal, and wish him all the best in his new role.
Embryonic stem cell research forum and seminar
Centre staff participated in two events held in Melbourne during June in the lead up to the International Society for Stem Cell Research Conference in Cairns (the largest conference involving stem cell scientists to have been held in Australia). Associate Professor Justin Oakley participated in a public forum on scientific ethics, integrity and the media at the Victorian Arts Centre. Dr Rob Sparrow presented at a seminar on the ethics of stem cell research, along with Assistant Professor Insoo Hyun and Ms Marianne Horn, at the Monash premises of the Australian Stem Cell Centre.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students, who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 9,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Jeremy Chin Over my dead body: The ethics of procuring organs from the dead
- Katherine Moore Should doctors offer fertility preserving therapies to female paediatric oncology patients?
Congratulations also to Jennifer Brown, who completed a 9,000 word CHB4215 research paper ‘Sponsoring and host country human research ethics committees: Dual-review as a viable model for increased protection’, in meeting the requirements for the Masters Qualifying in Bioethics (with a research component).
Copies of these and other research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
Lectures by Centre Director in Adelaide
In April, Associate Professor Justin Oakley presented a public lecture at the Ethics Centre of South Australia, on ‘Beyond Bristol and Bundaberg: Should patients be given report cards on the performance of their surgeon?’ He also presented a lecture on a similar topic to the Department of Surgery at Flinders University, and a seminar paper to the Flinders University Department of Philosophy on ‘The moral significance of genetic parenthood and access to assisted reproduction’.
January - April 2007
Welcome to Linda Barclay
Our newest staff member Dr Linda Barclay joined the Centre in January, having been appointed to a three-year lectureship in Bioethics. Linda has previously taught at several universities, including the philosophy departments at the University of Aarhus (Denmark), and La Trobe University. Linda conducts research in contemporary political philosophy and bioethics, particularly distributive justice, the ethics of markets, and equality, and she is interested in issues concerning the increasing commercialisation of the body and its parts. Linda joins Justin Oakley, Rob Sparrow, and Jo Asscher in teaching the Centre’s undergraduate minor in bioethics and postgraduate bioethics units. We extend a very warm welcome to Linda.
Rob Sparrow awarded ARC Discovery grant
Dr Rob Sparrow is a Chief Investigator on a Discovery grant awarded by the Australian Research Council for a research project on ‘Good Soldiers and Ethical Soldiers’. Along with Dr Jessica Wolfendale and Professor Tony Coady (both from the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, University of Melbourne division), Rob will be investigating how current and future developments in military technology may affect the military’s core ethical commitments, the character of individual warfighters, and traditional applications of just war theory. The research team was granted $440,000 to conduct this project from 2007-2009.
2007 Monash-WHO Bioethics fellowship
Master of Bioethics (by research) student Danny Edwards is the latest recipient of the annual Monash-WHO Bioethics Fellowship. The $9,000 Fellowship enables a Master of Bioethics student to spend 3 months working on research projects at the World Health Organization in Geneva. From this year the Fellowship moves from the WHO Human Genetics Programme to the WHO Department of Ethics, Trade, Human Rights and Health Law.
Lectures by Centre Director in Japan and New Zealand
Associate Professor Justin Oakley presented a public lecture on ‘Virtue ethics and conflicts of interest in physician-industry relationships’ at the University of Tokyo Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law in January. The lecture was given as part of a two week visit to the Center. A/Prof Oakley also gave a keynote address on physician-industry conflicts of interest at the 36th annual meeting of the International Continence Society in Christchurch, in November.
Congratulations to our students
Warm congratulations to Angela Ballantyne, who was recently awarded her PhD for a thesis entitled “Exploitation in HIV/AIDS International Clinical Research”. Angela is the Centre’s twelfth PhD graduate.
Congratulations also to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 10,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Karen Baskin How far can nurses justifiably go in compromising their professional integrity whilst providing care in situations which may constitute an unjust allocation of health resources?
- Elizabeth Irving Do the considerations of symmetry conditions on the definitions of life and death have utility?
- Sharyn Milnes Justifying Paternalistic Manipulation of Surrogate Consenters
- Gideon Shaw Does the insurance industry have the right to know my genetic make up?
- Jacqueline Boyle The ‘right not to know’, specifically in the context of family genetic information
- Carol McPhail What is the moral relevance of the Doctrine of Double Effect? Does the Doctrine of Double Effect render morally impermissible the intentional shortening of a patient’s life by their health care professional?
- Geoffrey Perkins From Ulysses to Epimelesthai Sautou
- Paul Roach The problem of scarce health resources: Current limitations to rationing and future solutions
- Claire Waldron Is it ethically permissible to withhold dialysis from the elderly?
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
Promotion for Centre Director
Centre Director Justin Oakley has been promoted by Monash from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor, from the beginning of 2007.
Praise for 2006 Intensive Bioethics Course
The 2006 Intensive Bioethics Course, held in the first week of December, was again a great success, despite the intervention of the elements this time. The course needed to be relocated from Mt Buffalo Chalet to Bright Chalet during the week, as bushfires in the Victorian Alps moved closer to the Chalet. Fortunately, the fires did not end up reaching Mt Buffalo Chalet but it has remained closed since December. Parks Victoria are currently investigating a longer-term approach to protection of the Chalet, and we are hopeful it will reopen for accommodation from 2008.
Evaluations from course participants included comments such as: “terrific, interactive, stimulating”, “all presenters brought a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience”, “well-presented, clear, methodical, and thought-provoking”, “very knowledgeable speakers, good mix of teaching styles and very approachable”, “Toni Hoffman’s presentation touched me personally”, “an excellent balance – providing philosophical bases/frameworks and interesting topic/applications”, “the retreat aspect was very valuable”, and “this course is one of the great secrets”.
We want to publicly acknowledge and thank the Managers of Mt Buffalo Chalet, Suzi and Brendan Cadigan, for all their help in arranging the relocation of the course and participants during an eventful week. We are also grateful to Michael O’Sullivan and his staff at Bright Chalet, for accommodating the course and participants at short notice for the remainder of the week.
October 2006
New second-year bioethics unit
The Centre will be offering a new second-year undergraduate bioethics unit from 2007. The unit is CHB2100 Ethics, ownership, and the genetic marketplace. It examines some key ethical and policy issues raised by developments in biotechnology, as a significant component of the global trade in knowledge and services, such as gene patenting and the commercialisation of human tissue and body parts. This unit, along with the existing first-year bioethics units, forms part of the popular new undergraduate Minor in Bioethics.
New book on surgeon report card ethics
Justin Oakley and Steve Clarke received a book contract from Cambridge University Press for their edited collection on the ethics of publishing individual surgeon performance information. The book is titled Informed Consent and Clinician Accountability: The ethics of report cards on surgeon performance, and it contains chapters by bioethicists, surgeons, epidemiologists, medical administrators, and lawyers. Some of the chapters in the collection originated as papers presented at the workshop on this topic held at the University of Melbourne in November 2004. Further details are available at: http://www.cambridge.org/uk/ catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521687782
Presentations on ethics and nanotechnology
Dr Rob Sparrow gave presentations to several different audiences on ethical issues in nanotechnology between July and September. The occasions were the 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Brisbane, a workshop on nanoethics and regulation, at Monash University, and a publication launch at the University of Melbourne School of Environmental Studies.
Plenary address on ICU resource allocation
In October Justin Oakley gave a plenary address at the Australian and New Zealand 31st annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, in Hobart. His presentation discussed the ethics of rationing paediatric intensive care beds in cases of severely disabled infants.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 9,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Dale Gardiner Is the United Kingdom controlled non-heart beating organ donation program ethical?
- Justine Garvey Pragmatism: Could this principle or theory be applied in NFR decisions?
- Belinda Henderson Is it ethical to perform or procure a late-term abortion?
- Robert Henning The moral basis of the claim of parents to make health care decisions on behalf of their never-competent children
- Elizabeth Thomas Is society morally justified in removing abused and neglected children from their parents? A discussion of children’s rights, parents’ rights, and the role of health professionals
- Rebecca Vanderheide Why should family interests be excluded from end-of-life decision making?
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
April 2006
Bundaberg whistleblower Toni Hoffman named Australia's Local Hero for 2006
We are proud to report that Bundaberg hospital whistleblower and Master of Bioethics graduate Ms Toni Hoffman has been named Australia's "Local Hero' for 2006, for her efforts in raising concerns about patient safety at Bundaberg Base Hospital during 2003-2005. Toni was presented with this award by Prime Minister John Howard at the 2006 Australian of the Year ceremony outside Parliament House Canberra on Australia Day in January. For further details, see: http:// www.australianoftheyear.gov.au/pages/page119.asp Toni is speaking at this year's Intensive Bioethics Course about her experiences as a whistleblower.
Presentations in Seoul on Hwang stem cell controversy and therapeutic cloning
In March, Dr Rob Sparrow travelled to Seoul, at the invitation of the Seoul National University Institute of Communications Research, where he presented a paper, "'Trust us...We're Doctors': Science, media, and ethics in the Hwang stem-cell controversy", to the "Media Ethics and Investigative Journalism Conference' at Seoul National University. The conference featured invited speakers from Australia and Japan, as well as Korea , and examined the history and continuing fallout from the "Hwang Stem-Cell Controversy". Dr Sparrow also had the opportunity to present a paper on the ethics of therapeutic cloning to students and staff of the Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, where Professor Hwang had previously been employed.
Meeting with Japanese delegation
A medico-legal delegation from Japan met with Dr Justin Oakley in March to discuss the NHMRC-funded project he is leading on the ethics of providing patients with performance information on individual surgeons. The delegation is leading efforts in Japan to improve patient safety and to restructure the medical and legal investigation of health-related deaths.
Triennial review of Master of Bioethics (by coursework)
In February the Centre's Master of Bioethics (by coursework) program underwent the Faculty Review process used to evaluate all postgraduate courses every three years. The Review panel reported that the program is very successful, and praised Centre staff for their work in the course. Further initiatives are planned for the program, and will be announced in due course.
Congratulations to our students
Congratulations to the following students who have fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 10,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Brette Blakely "Is familial searching justified?"
- Kathleen Fergus "Nurse whistleblowers: Created by conflicting ethical principles and current workplace practices?"
- Tyson Wodak "The ethics of blood donation: Is the Australian Red Cross Blood Service acting ethically in facilitating autologous blood donations?"
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre's library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
January 2006
Rob Sparrow appointed to government biotechnology ethics committee
Centre Lecturer Dr Rob Sparrow has been appointed to the Victorian Biotechnology Ethics Advisory Committee. Rob has been appointed to the committee in the role of Ethicist, and he will contribute to the committee's work in developing policy and guidelines on biotechnology research and its applications in Victoria.
Congratulations to our students
Congratulations to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 10,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Michael Clarence "'Do not attempt resuscitation' orders: forgoing invasive ventilation in end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease".
- Sandra Woods "Does viewing Canadian taxpayers as the primary stakeholders of Canadian Institutes of Health Research funds have ethical implications for the oversight of granted research funds?"
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre's library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
2005 Intensive Bioethics Course a success
The Centre's annual Intensive Bioethics Course held in December 2005 at Mt Buffalo Chalet was again a great success. The evaluations from course participants included comments such as:"truly an inspiring and enlightening experience, easily the best conference I've attended", "the presenters were uniformly excellent and well in command of their material", "I found the presentations totally stimulating", "my understanding of this area has grown immensely", "reinforced my passion for, and my commitment to, ethics", "very good balance of theory and application", and "the course was fantastic and has made me think about a lot of other issues". A highlight of the course was Toni Hoffman's personal account of her role as whistleblower in the scandal involving surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital, and the standing ovation she received from the course participants.
October 2005
Ethics Officer position and Fellowship at WHO Human Genetics Programme
The Centre has renewed its sponsorship of the Ethics Officer fellowship at the World Health Organization Human Genetics Programme for 2006, following the successful inaugural stint by Angela Ballantyne earlier this year. The next incumbent in this position is recent Monash Master of Bioethics graduate Cathy Schapper. Cathy takes up this position in Geneva in January. The sponsorship was arranged through the Faculty of Arts and the Vice-Chancellor’s office.
Also bound for Geneva in January is Adam Henschke, who has been awarded the next Monash-WHO Bioethics Fellowship. Adam will spend 3 months working as an intern at the WHO Human Genetics Programme. Adam and Cathy will be collaborating on several projects, including a report on ethical, legal, and social issues in pharmacogenomics.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students who recently fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Bioethics degree. As part of the course the successful candidates wrote 10,000 word research papers on the following topics:
- Margaret Duncan Harvesting the living dead
- Victoria Dunne Ethical treatment of patients in public hospitals: identifying the features that allow medical scandals to flourish
- Dolores Ibarreta The ethics of selecting the embryos before they are transferred to the uterus after IVF using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis: drawing the line between health and disease in genetic terms
- Emma Livingston Is weak paternalism justifiable in exercise science research?
- Amanda Lyons Consent and universal newborn screening
- Joy Mendel Does evidence-based medicine compromise informed consent? Issues for mainstream and complementary medicine
- Katinka Morton The moral position of doctors who violate boundaries with patients: their moral responsibility as agents, and blaming responses beyond blameworthiness
- Nat Neilson What are the ethical obligations of Australia and Australians to help provide primary health care and treatment to AIDS-affected Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Eleanor Romney Maintaining integrity: the conflicting obligations of the nurse as custodian of patient information
- Cathy Schapper When, if ever, is it ethically acceptable to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis?
- Judith Schroeder Enhanced parental autonomy in preparation for extreme premature birth
- Richard Stiles Autonomy and heteronomy: moral bias and its bioethical implications – the case from obesity
Copies of these Master of Bioethics research papers are available for reading at the Centre’s library, 9th floor, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus.
Special issue of Monash Bioethics Review, January 2006
To commemorate 25 years of the Monash Centre for Human Bioethics, Monash Bioethics Review 25, no. 1, January 2006 will feature articles by past and present Centre staff, including Peter Singer and Helga Kuhse, Justin Oakley, and Deborah Zion, along with articles by other contributors, such as Bundaberg Hospital whistleblower Toni Hoffman.