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LWM56

Medical law and ethics

Module information>

Academic Direction
UCL, Queen Mary University of London
Also part of
LLM Postgraduate Laws
Modes of Study
Online

Medical Law and Ethics is a fascinating area to study dealing with some of the most contested and controversial issues of our time; assisted dying, abortion, and embryo research to name three. New technologies such as stem cell research, face transplants and pre-implantation genetic testing have attracted considerable media and public interest.

Study as an individual course

To study medical law at this level, it is essential to also consider the ethical issues which under pin questions about how we should regulate controversial medical practices.

This course requires students to use sophisticated analytical skills in evaluating complex legal and ethical dilemmas and to challenge their own and others’ received wisdom while becoming aware of the importance of providing defensible reasons for their views.

Module A: Basic concepts in medical law

LWM56A

  • Bioethics
  • Consent
  • Capacity
  • Confidentiality

Module B: Access to treatment and malpractice litigation

LWM56B

  • Resource allocation
  • Medical malpractice
  • Product liability and the regulation of medicines
  • Liability for occurrences before birth

Module C: Legal and ethical issues in medical practice

LWM56C

  • Mental health law
  • Clinical research
  • Organ transplantation
  • End of life decisions

Module D: Legal and ethical issues in reproduction

LWM56D

  • Abortion
  • Embryo and stem cell research
  • Assisted conception
  • Surrogacy

Assessment

Each module will be assessed by a 45-minute unseen written examination.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended you attempt the modules in order.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification.

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

  • Common Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Legal Theory and History
  • Medicine and the Law

Apply via Postgraduate Laws.

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