The Bioethics Committee is a student simulation of the decision-making process made by the President’s Council of Bioethics. The student committee is charged with making recommendations to the President of the United States based on its own research and the advice solicited by outside experts. The bioethical issues are current and relevant, such as designer babies, genetic enhancements, mandatory vaccines, organ selling, and more.
During the culminating event, the presentation of their findings, teams present to expert consultants (fellow students, staff, industry experts, and community members). The presentations consist of introducing the issue, explaining the science involved, examples from case studies, debate of ethical issues, and deliberation with the experts to allow for questions and opposing views to be shared. With input from the experts, the teams then create their final recommendation for either the President or an organization that has the power to directly influence the policies concerning the issue.
The deep dive into one bioethical issue through provides students the opportunity to thoroughly research an issue, think critically about multiple perspectives, and make a recommendation supported by evidence. For students in a health focused academy these are bioethical issues they may be confronted with if they pursue a career in that industry. Another example of excellent real-world learning!
