What is Bioethics?
Bioethics literally means "life ethics"; Thus "Bioethics" is the moral or ethical implications of incidents or events which affect living organisms; The rights, the wrongs, and everything in between of life. Though this may seem a simple statement, the scope of issues covered under it is so immense that it is easy to see how complex bioethical issues truly are. Bioethics encompasses everything from medical research and clinical ethics, to agricultural ethics and even environmental ethics.
Why does Bioethics matter?
Bioethics is not just a matter for philosophers or scientists to contemplate; it is a collection of ethical issues that affect every living organism and thus should be a concern to all human beings. The choices that we make have consequences for us all and therefore there must be public discussion about these issues in order to insure that well-informed decisions and actions are carried out.
What is the MSU Undergraduate Bioethics Society?
The Michigan State Undergraduate Bioethics Society is an open-minded group of students at MSU whose purpose is to increase student and community awareness, knowledge and involvement in bioethical issues. The Society is not seeking to promote or support any particular position or viewpoint, but rather to encourage individual thought and group discussion on bioethical issues. It is our belief that the better understanding we have of the implications of bioethical choices, the more capable we are to make informed decisions which affect not only our lives but also the world around us.
How can you get involved?
Meetings are held every other Tuesday during the Michigan State University semester schedule and are open to anyone who wants to participate. These meetings are very informal. The meetings are generally in either an open discussion or an expert panel discussion format. Each meeting deals with the ethical implications of one issue from varying viewpoints. Additionally other society events will occur throughout the year. For further information on upcoming meetings and events click the activities link above.