Bioethics, public policy, and the law

In this unit, you will examine issues that arise in public healthcare policy and law, and how these relate to ethics. You will explore the formulation and creation of law and policy for controversial health-related issues in democratic pluralistic societies such as Australia. You will examine concepts such as: autonomy and harm, moral pluralism, the role of public opinion in policy formation, collective action problems and healthcare resource allocation. Healthcare issues to be considered may include topics such as voluntary assisted dying legislation, the availability of organs for transplant, reproductive technology policy, mandatory vaccination, and the governance of food.