Introduction to law and ethics
Summary
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basic legal and ethical concepts relevant to research in the life sciences and its translational application, and to provide them with the essential tools to identify legal and ethical issues in their future professional practice.
Content
- Introduction to ethics and law: distinction between law, ethics, and professional standards; sources of law, how they are implemented, structured, and enforced, introduction to ethical thinking and the main theories of ethics.
- Legal concept of the person, the nature of the human body and its separated parts, and the nature and scope of related rights (personality rights, property and intellectual property rights, etc.).
- Regulation of research involving human subjects (ethical principles, basic legal concepts); ethical and legal framework for the collection, storage, processing, and transfer of human biological material; data protection; ethical and legal foundations for research involving vulnerable populations.
- Legal status of animals in constitutional and civil law; animal protection; ethical and legal requirements for animal research; ethical debate on animal experimentation.
- Basic elements of intellectual property; regulation of medical devices; international law and legal aspects of biotechnology.
- Ethical and legal aspects of other domains of research (personalized medicine, human enhancement).
- Scientific integrity, conflicts of interest, and dual-use research.
Keywords
Ethics, Law, Research Ethics, Integrity, Intellectual Property, Rights
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Recommended courses
None
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain the basic foundations of legal sources and legislative procedures. • Identify the main branches of law and have the legal background necessary to communicate effectively with legal experts. • Identify legal and ethical issues related to their future professional practice.
- Identify the main branches of law and have the legal background necessary to communicate effectively with legal experts.
- Identify legal and ethical issues related to their future professional practice.
Teaching methods
Lectures (ex cathedra) and interactive teaching based on practical examples.
Expected student activities
Group work
Assessment methods
Student assessment is based on:
A group written report, accounting for one-third of the final grade. The written report is structured as follows:
a. Students must form working groups of four by October 7, 2025. Students who do not register by the deadline will be randomly assigned to a group.
b. Each group will be tasked with submitting a joint report addressing a series of questions relevant to the daily practice of a scientist. Each student will be responsible for answering one question individually. Group members will then exchange their drafts and provide peer feedback according to the provided guidelines.
c. The deadline for submitting the reports is December 10, 2025.
A 15-minute oral exam, preceded by a preparation period, accounting for two-thirds of the final grade. Students are not allowed any books or notes for the examination.
The final grade will be a weighted average of the oral exam (2/3) and the group work (1/3).
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
Resources
Bibliography
Will be provided with the course synopsis
Moodle Link
Videos
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to law and ethics
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Exercices: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to law and ethics
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Exercices: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel