“Bioethics as Academic Subject in the Higher Education System” (summary)

Abstract

During the interview Prof. Khrustalev discussed the issues of bioethics and medical ethics formation in the Russian science and pedagogical practice; peculiarities of teaching corresponding subjects in medical schools; touched upon the problem of lack of overarching educational program in bioethics, to such extent that some lectors can impose their own religious or ideological ideas on students, etc. The chief idea of Yu.M. Khrustalev is as follows: “The man should follow his reason while solving any problem, but under control of his conscience”. This motto allows this recognised scholar and teacher to balance accurately teaching ideological disciplines and leading a department with very different faculty members. Yu.M. Khrustalev, one of the ‘founding fathers’ of bioethics in the USSR and Russian Federation (the author of a series of books and manuals) , elaborated on the ‘alignment of forces’ in the field of bioethics science and education, peculiarities of ethical committees’ formation and work in Russia.