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Study information

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics ONLINE

Module titleEthical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics ONLINE
Module codeHPDM044Z
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Leigh Jackson (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

8

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Module description

The module will provide you with a framework for ethical understanding of medical genomics. An ‘ethics in practice’ approach will be taken. You will be provided with a platform of ethical understanding from which to consider issues of confidentiality, autonomy, disclosure, informed consent and justice. You will consider the impact of genomic technologies on individuals, families, and demographic groupings. The social implications of genetic testing and screening will be considered, especially in the context of reproductive technologies. Finally you will be provided with a legal framework for the use of genetic data for research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Many genomic tests have wider implications for the patient and their family, particularly where these may have a predictive aspect, provide incidental information, and/or have potential for being misleading or increase uncertainty. You will explore the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) involved in genomic testing and in specific integrated pathways.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Defend the ethical principles of autonomy and justice/fairness and apply these to key practical issues such as confidentiality, disclosure and informed consent in scenarios within genomic medicine
  • 2. Critically evaluate the challenges of emerging genomic technologies on society and societal values.
  • 3. Analyse the current legal framework within which genomic medicine in practised in the UK
  • 4. Analyse the current legal framework within which genomic medicine in practised in the UK

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Identify clinical pathways in your own specialty or field of practice where the use of genomic investigation/techniques may be beneficial to patients, and be able to present a balanced view taking into account benefits and potential burdens
  • 6. Critically evaluate the ethical, legal and social impact of genomic medical advances in a clinical pathway.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Critically reflect on personal and professional practice and make connections between known and unknown areas, to allow for personal development, adaptation and change.
  • 8. Respond to innovation and new technologies and be able to evaluate these in the context of best practice and the need for improved service delivery.
  • 9. Communicate accurately and effectively a contemporary evidence base to relevant parties.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

  • ELSI issues for genomic medicine – confidentiality, autonomy, disclosure, informed consent, natural justice.
  • Effects of opportunistic predictive, incidental or variant of uncertain significance results.
  • Impact of genomic testing on individuals, and demographic and ethnic differences.
  • Social implications of genetic testing and screening, particularly in the context of human reproduction.
  • Legal aspects of genomic information in relation to diagnostic, therapeutic and research use, and patenting of genomic information and tests.
  • Obtaining ethical approval for research projects.
  • Specific ELSI issues as applied to clinical pathways.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
51450

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities5Webinars
Guided independent study15Participation in online problem based learning
Guided independent study20Writing essay
Guided independent study15Preparing presentation
Guided independent study95Online resources and independent guided literature research.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Participation in problem based learning online forums2 weeks1-9Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
60040

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
2000 word essay602000 words1-9Written
Presentation of problem based learning task4010 minutes1-9Oral
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
2000 word essay (60%)Essay (2000 words)1-9Typically within six weeks of the result
Presentation of problem based learning task (40%)Write-up of presentation of problem-based learning task (1000 words)1-9Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral:

http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Beauchamp, T. and Childress, J. (2008/2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. New York: Oxford University Press (6th or 7th edition).
  •  Hope, R. A., Savulescu, J., and Hendrick, J.  (2008) Medical ethics and law: the core curriculum. Elsevier Health Sciences. (2008) (2nd edition).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6146

Key words search

Confidentiality, autonomy, disclosure, informed consent, ethics, legal, ELSI

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

N/A

Module co-requisites

N/A

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/12/2015

Last revision date

24/07/2019