Experts in bioethics from Moldova, Romania, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and Ireland in an event presented modern practices in design, implementation and evaluation of the bioethics curricula and related disciplines (Philosophy of Medicine, Behavioral Sciences, etc.) for master and doctorate university and posy-university studies. The specialists identified the common tendencies and shared the good practices based on the experiences in bioethics. The event was staged at the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” on May 17-19 and forms part of the series of events dedicated to the Year of Nicolae Testemitanu, IPN reports.
The experts referred to the model of curriculum in bioethics proposed by UNESCO and those of the European Master of Bioethics Program. The curriculum in bioethics presented by the Department of Philosophy and Bioethics of the University “Nicolae Testemitanu” received positive feedback from foreign experts, who formulated recommendations for improving it. The institution of ethics management in medical education institutions and not only, presented by experts of the Research Center for Applied Ethics of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Bucharest, and introduction of bioethics in the education programs of lyceums were among other subjects for discussion.
“Our university is proud of the fact that the Republic of Moldova was one of the first countries in the ex-Soviet area and even in the East European area that introduced bioethics in the program of universities at all the faculties in 1992, initially as thematic modules within the philosophy course and then as a distinct discipline,” said professor Gheorghe Rojnoveanu, pro-rector for scientific work of “Nicolae Testemitanu” University.
Professorial Vitalie Ojovan, head of the Department of Philosophy and Bioethics of “Nicolae Testemitanu” University, said medicine without bioethics cannot be conceived. Only bioethics can regulate by particular mechanisms the problems related to the patient’s life, health and integrity.
Maria Aluas, of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, noted that things in bioethics have stagnated for a period and many European universities want to close the bioethics program owing to old methodology and approaches. “Bioethics is a very dynamic discipline that is inspired by other disciplines. To reach the students, one should really play their game and transmit the message through their means to make oneself understood. This is the big secret of teaching,” said the expert.
According to Victoria Federiuc, university assistant at the Department of Philosophy and Bioethics, the lack of culture of bioethics is felt in Moldova. “In the European countries, they speak already about genetic screening and active voluntary euthanasia, but we are only at the level of the doctor-patient relationship. Most of the discrepancies are met in the management of medical institutions and ethics committees, these being influenced by specific social features, mentality, poverty, differences etc.” said Victoria Federiuc.
The event involved over 100 scientists and doctors, young specialists, students and residents and foreign experts.
U.S. oncologist and biologist Van Rensselaer Potter is considered the founder of bioethics in the world. At the University “Nicolae Testemitanu”, bioethics was first introduced in the philosophy course by department head Teodor Tardea in 1992. Later, the program was extended and in 1999 was reorganized into the Department of Philosophy and Bioethics. The University also has two ethics commission – one for research, clinical and practical studies and the other one for behavioral ethics.
