We live in an era of rapid growth in biotechnology generating new and difficult ethical questions that need to be tackled by bioethicists and politicians. This project goes beyond typical approaches in bioethics to explore the 'big picture': how policies are generated in ethically-contentious domains. The public often provides input during policy debates, and how public values and those of other stakeholders are reflected involves a complex negotiation process that is social, ethical, legal, and political. This project examines three contentious policy-development processes, using historical, legal, and ethical analysis to assess the interrelations between values and policy development in Australia with comparison to Canada, which has parallels in these areas of policy. The benefits to be gained from this research will most importantly take the form of practical recommendations for refining public involvement in healthcare policy-making, in accordance with both Australia's and Canada's commitments to fostering liberal democratic societies.

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Contact:

Postal Address:
Big-Picture Bioethics: policy-making and liberal democracy
Faculty of Arts
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 44
Hobart TAS 7001
Australia

Phone: +61 3 6226 1874
Fax: +61 3 6226 7842

All Enquiries to: Professor Susan Dodds
Email: Susan.Dodds@utas.edu.au