16.7 2nd and 3rd years Rev Bill Uren. One first-year single-semester Philosophy subject. Students who lack this prerequisite, but believe themselves adequately prepared to attempt any second/third year subjects, should consult the Head of Department. Second semester Up to three hours a week. After completing this subject students should:

• have a grasp of the various philosophical principles, outlooks and concepts underlying community debates about a range of biomedical issues, with an ethical dimension;
• understand the nature of arguments based on these, and be equipped to evaluate them;
• be enabled to make their own contributions to the ongoing debates.

Four central issues in biomedical ethics such as: the assumptions of the nature/technology debate re surrogacy, embryo experiments, etc. ; the acts/omissions distinction; the claims of present versus future generations; patient autonomy. One 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50 per cent) and an assignment of no more than 3,000 words (50 per cent).