Posted: May 1st, 2025

Health & Medical Question

The objective of this assignment is to engage undergraduate students in critical thinking about bioethical issues through the analysis of relevant films. Students will watch selected films that explore various ethical dilemmas in biomedical sciences and reflect on the ethical considerations raised.

Film Selection:Choose one film from below that address bioethical issues (or another with instruction permission):

Gattaca (1997) – Genetic engineering and discrimination.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017) – Informed consent and research ethics.

Never Let Me Go (2010) – Cloning and the value of life.

The Constant Gardener (2005) – Pharmaceutical research and human rights.

1. Awakenings (1990) – Medical experimentation and patient autonomy.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Bioethical Issues: Memory manipulation and the consequences of altering personal experiences.

1. Contagion (2011) – Bioethical Issues: Global health, pandemic response, and the balance between individual rights and public health.

My Sister’s Keeper (2009) – Bioethical Issues: Genetic engineering, organ donation, and family dynamics.

OR ANOTHER MOVIE WITH INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION

Film Analysis:For each film, you should analyze the bioethical issues presented. Consider the following questions in your reflections:

1. What bioethical dilemmas are depicted in the film?

How do the four principles of bioethics appear/not appear in this film?

1. How are scientific advancements portrayed, and what ethical implications arise from these advancements?

Are there conflicts between individual autonomy and societal interests?

1. How do the characters in the film navigate ethical decisions, and what consequences result from their choices?

Reflection Paper:Write a brief (approx 5-page) reflection paper summarizing your thoughts on the bioethical issues presented in the film you select. You should also discuss the relevance of these issues to real-world scenarios and propose ethical considerations for addressing similar challenges in the future.