A three-tiered approach to enhance undergraduate education in bioethics

Abstract

The systematic integration of ethics into undergraduate programs is a key component to improving the understanding of ethical issues in science for a broad audience. We propose a three-tiered approach to integrating ethics and social issues that can be readily adapted to particular curricular needs. A concerted incorporation of ethics strategically targeted to each level of undergraduate education will improve the preparation of prospective research scientists, enhance K-12 teacher training, increase the scientific and ethical literacy of the general public, and improve the awareness of health professionals regarding ethics in medicine. After examining textbooks, programs, and faculty perspectives, we suggest areas in which changes can be made to incorporate ethics into undergraduate education.