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19165-01 - Lecture: Einführung in die angewandte Nano-Wissenschaftsethik (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Roberto Andorno (roberto.andorno@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This seminar is designed as an introduction to ethics, with a focus on the ethical and legal principles that are relevant to scientific research and, more specifically, to emerging technologies, including nanotechnologies, neurotechnology and human gene editing in. It also aims to raise awareness about Swiss and international guidelines on scientific integrity, and to offer a room for free discussion on cases of scientific misconduct. The topics to be addressed during the seminar include: 1. Ethics as practical rationality. The elements of moral action. The importance of intention. Factors limiting moral responsibility. Overview of main ethical theories. Universalism and relativism. 2. Ethics and law. Interaction. Similarities and differences. Human dignity and human rights. Human rights and neurotechnologies: the “neurorights”. 3. Sustainable development. Intergenerational justice: the duties to prevent harm to present and future generations, and to preserve the environment. The debate on human germline gene editing. 4. Assessing risk. The precautionary principle. History. Conditions for its application. Examples of precautionary measures. 5. Ethical issues in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (nanoethics). Dilemmas in nanomedicine: the potential toxicity of nanomaterials; the gap between diagnosis and therapy; privacy and confidentiality issues; the challenge of human enhancement. 6. Dual use dilemmas: the responsibility of scientists and society. Scientific integrity. Famous cases of scientific misconduct. Fabrication and falsification of data, plagiarism, conflicts of interest. Publication ethics. Generative AI and research integrity. 7. Biomedical research involving human subjects. Ethical requirements. Nuremberg Code. Helsinki Declaration The seminar is structured in seven sessions of 2.5 hours each. Sessions will combine lectures by the instructor, individual exercises, and group discussions. |
| Bibliography | I. General • Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics. Available at: http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html • Pieper, Annemarie, Einführung in die Ethik. 7th ed. Tübingen: Francke Verlag, 2017. • Seebauer, Edmund D., Barry, Robert L., Fundamentals of Ethics for Scientists and Engineers, New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. • Macrina, Francis, Scientific Integrity. An Introductory Text with Cases, Washington: ASM Press, 2014. II. Nanoethics /Neuroethics • Gordijn, Bert and Cutter, Anthony Mark (eds.), In Pursuit of Nanoethics. Dordrecht, Springer, 2013. • UNESCO, The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology. Paris, 2006. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000145951 • M. Ienca & R. Andorno, “Towards new human rights in the age of neuroscience and neurotechnology” (con Marcello Ienca), Life Sciences, Society and Policy, 2017, 13(5). At: https://lsspjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40504-017-0050-1 III. Guidelines on scientific integrity University of Basel • Code of conduct. Collaborative working and values at the University of Basel (2020) • Regulation on academic integrity (2018) https://www.unibas.ch/en/Research/Values-Ethics/Scientific-Integrity.html Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences • Code of conduct for scientific integrity (2021) https://www.samw.ch/en/Projects/Overview-of-projects/Scientific-integrity.html European Science Foundation (ESF) • European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2023) https://allea.org/code-of-conduct/ Bibliography on specific topics will be recommended individually upon student request. . |
| Comments | Ehemaliger Titel der Vorlesung: Einführung in die Angewandte Ethik für Studierende der Nanowissenschaften The seminar is structured in seven sessions of 2.5 hours each taking place on Mondays every two weeks on the following days: Monday 2 March 2026 What is ethics? Ethics as a form of practical rationality Monday 9 March 2026 Ethics and law. Human dignity and human rights Monday 16 March 2026 Ethics and sustainable development. Environmental protection Monday 23 March 2026 Uncertain risks: the role of the precautionary principle Monday 30 March 2026 Ethical issues in emerging technologies Monday 13 April 2026 Dual use research. Research integrity Monday 20 April 2026 Principles of biomedical research Sessions combine lectures by the instructor, presentations by participants, individual and small group practical exercises, and large group discussions. |
| Weblink | http://ibmb.unibas.ch/teaching/ |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-täglich | Monday | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 02.03.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 09.03.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 16.03.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 23.03.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 30.03.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 13.04.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Monday 20.04.2026 | 16.15-18.30 | Biozentrum, Seminarraum U1.193 |
| Modules |
Basismodul (Teil A) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Basismodul (Teil B) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Doctorate Biomedical Ethics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biomedical Ethics (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Electives Bachelor Nanosciences: Recommendations (Bachelor's Studies: Nanosciences) Module: Biomedical Engineering Electives (Master's Studies: Biomedical Engineering) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | • Attendance • Active participation in the discussion • 15-minute presentation Grading pass/fail |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik |