This coursebook offers an expansive exploration of bioethics, an interdisciplinary field examining ethical, social, and legal dilemmas in medicine, life sciences, and beyond. It challenges conventional boundaries, embracing Van Rensselaer Potter’s vision of bioethics as a global, holistic ethics of life—integrating human health, environmental considerations, and transdisciplinary insights. Through engaging discussions, thought experiments, and case studies, the book empowers students to critically reflect on ethical questions without dictating rigid answers. Topics range from the historical roots of ethical thought to cutting-edge debates in molecular biology, such as epigenetics and exposomics, demonstrating how interconnected human, animal, and environmental health truly are. Central themes include the limits of scientific knowledge, the biases shaping research, and the evolving interplay between moral philosophy and empirical science. Students will encounter key philosophical frameworks—ontology, epistemology, and ethics—woven into practical bioethical applications. Feminist philosophy, experimental bioethics, and embedded ethics enrich this perspective, urging readers to question assumptions, embrace diverse viewpoints, and connect ethical principles with real-world science. Targeted at students in philosophy, biology, biomedical sciences, and bioengineering, this book is a toolkit for future thinkers, fostering a nuanced understanding of how ethical science advances humanity in a complex, ever-changing world.
Type of Material:
Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:
Assigned homework reading
To prompt discussions in class, such as debates or sharing perspectives
Team Activities
Online discussions
Online learning activities
Technical Requirements:
Internet access and a web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
After the completion of the learning activity with the OER textbook, the learner will:
Describe central tenets of bioethics.
Utilize Van Rensselaer Potter’s vision of bioethics as a global, holistic ethics of life, integrating human health, environmental considerations, and transdisciplinary insights.
Apply bioethics concepts through discussions, thought experiments, and case studies.
Target Student Population:
College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No prerequisite knowledge required.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The OER textbook includes valid concepts and models.
The content is straightforward and comprehensive.
Interesting real-life applications of concepts are present (Taylor Swift, Eating Meat, etc.)
The content is accurate.
The key aspects of bioethics are integrated and complemented throughout.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Asks open-ended questions of the reader to promote thinking. After the open-ended questions, is void of any interactive knowledge or application check questions.
The content increases the potential for student learning.
Uses case studies with open-ended questions and discussions.
Conceptual learning is supported through promoting an understanding of key tenets of how ethical science advances humanity in a fluid world and practice.
Concerns:
Increasing the variety of interactivity could improve learning.
Including teaching-learning goals and outcomes would improve the OER textbook.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The OER textbook text is selectable.
Headings are set up using an accessibility format.
The book does not include images or videos. It is primarily black and white, with some blocks of text having colored backgrounds.
The software is easy to use.
The format is consistent throughout the work.
All aspects of the site are in working order.
The software is easy to use, and the navigational format is consistent throughout the work.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
