Ethical Dilemmas in the Health Industry

This seminar analyzes the pervasive ethical tensions inherent to the healthcare sector, and their socio-economic implications. In the sessions (25 hours), through case studies, participants are confronted with critical situations, cases of power abuse, and solutions for transforming scientific advancement into social progress. Sessions deal with a wide variety of topics: human genome patentability, pandemic alert and crisis management, stored tissue issues, expensive treatment for ultra-rare diseases, clinical trials in developing countries, end of life and palliative care. All these topics stimulate debates on conviction vs. accountability, performance vs. risk, and price vs. dignity. Some sessions focus on the participants’ personal development, leadership skills, decision–making and team spirit. The international experience of the lecturers broadens the scope of the debate beyond cultural borders.