Teaching of bioethics: Ukraine vs India

Abstract

Advancement of medical science and technology, as well as the vast increase in costs has drastically changed the system of medical practice. In today's fast paced world, doctors and researchers are constantly on the search for new cures, vaccines and medicines. Bioethics is the study of the controversial ethical issues that arise from new situations and possibilities brought about by advances in biology and medicine. It is also moral discernment as it relates to medical policy and practice. Bioethics gives the medical practitioner a stand point, ensuring they never cross any lines, whether it be in search of a new cure, or in their treatment of their patients. Teaching of bioethics in India. The medical council of India does not state bioethics as a separate subject. At present quite a few number of medical colleges and university in fact teach bioethics. Only if listed as a separate subject by the medical council of India, will it become a necessity in every college and university. According to a few national surveys and studies, there are quite a large number of professionals trained in bioethics in the country, but only a small percentage of them are working in medical universities. The medical council does however specify that medical graduates become exemplary citizens by observation of medical ethics. So if cases are brought forward stating the violation of the doctor's moral codes, suspension of license of practise is expected. However, despite medical graduates being aware of their rightful duties, many a days media reports that highlight medical dilemmas arise. Reports of misconduct in research, medical negligence, unethical rejections to admissions, organ transplant questions are just the top of the barrel. Teaching of bioethics in Ukraine. Bioethics is a subject taught in majority of the medical universities in Ukraine. When considering post-soviet countries, Ukraine has taken a large initiative in learning and teaching the subject of bioethics, though funding and sourcing can at times hinder the quality of teaching in many areas. India has been known to have a medical program me of only a mere four and a half years. Therefore due to the time constraints, many Indian medical schools have been known to focus more on theoretical subjects such as Anatomy, Pharmacology and Pathology. Medical universities in India focus less on the philosophical aspect of medicine, at many a times eliminating subjects such as bioethics completely from their curriculum.