About EBSA21 - Course C - Bioethics: Social Responsibilities and Regulation

Course description
The aim of this course is to reflect on the rationale and benefit of science regulation in different research fields from a bioethical point of view.
We will start with a brief introduction to the aims and methodology of bioethics and the general relation between ethics and law. We will then focus on two particular topics: first, animal research, and second, research on imported genetic resources. The presentations will introduce the ethical issues in these fields and relate them to the legal regulation. One of the key questions will be to what extent the regulatory system enhances responsible conduct of scientists and in which respect it may have a contrary effect.
The course will include presentations as well as “workshop-sections”, in which the participants have the opportunity to discuss the topics based on concrete examples.
In the closing session we will relate these discussions to biosafety regulations and we will be particularly interested in the participant’s views and opinions on how biosafety regulation can increase scientist’s responsibility in awareness and scientific conduct.
Target audience
Biosafety professionals with a particular interest in bioethics and in reflecting on the purpose of science regulation.
Learning objectives

• To provide a general understanding of the aims in bioethics and the difference between bioethics and law.
• To discuss how ethical issues in research with animals and genetic resources have been considered in regulation.
• To trigger reflection on the success and failure of science regulation with respect to increasing the awareness of scientists for their responsibilities and their responsible conduct.
• To raise awareness for possibilities to increase scientific responsibility in the education on and implementation of biosafety regulation.

Main topics

• Bioethics, responsibility of scientists
• Responsible conduct in animal research
• Responsible conduct in research with imported genetic resources
• How can science regulation optimize responsible conduct in research?

Citation of the respective sections of CWA 16335:2011 Biosafety professional competence
C.2.1.3.3. Bioethics
The course will touch some other issues mentioned such as the Nagoya Protocol to the CBD (C.2.1.3.1) Laboratory animal experiments e.g. research with animals (C 2.2.1, C 2.2.2)