Opinions on bioethics and human death of Japanese medical students / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

<p>Objective: To assess opinions on bioethics and human death for more effective ethics-based education in the future.</p><p>Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey among medical students in their 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th years and non-medical 1st year students.</p><p>Results: A baseline assessment among the 1st year students demonstrated significant differences between medical and non-medical students regarding some points, such as euthanasia, human cloning, fear of death, living a life with purpose, and human death. Significant differences were found between medical students in their 2nd, 4th, and 6th years in the following items pre-implantation and prenatal genetic diagnosis, genetic testing, assisted reproductive technology, and living a life with purpose.</p><p>Conclusions: Based on medical students' opinions regarding bioethics and human death, we expect further improvements in ethics-based education for them at all levels.</p>