Welcome to the Institute for Biomedical Ethics

The Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel (IBMB) is a vibrant centre for research on and teaching about ethical issues in medicine and the biosciences. The Institute was founded in 2011 and is affiliated with both the Science and Medical Faculties at the University of Basel – a unique situation for an ethics institute in Switzerland.

The IBMB has over a dozen PhD students and a team of senior researchers and post-docs working on a wide variety of projects in biomedical ethics. The IBMB’s researchers are committed to an interdisciplinary endeavour aimed at finding ethical solutions to dilemmas raised by both new and traditional practices in biomedical ethics, including cutting-edge technologies, organ donation, palliative care, and research in developing countries, to name only a few. Our research combines empirical fieldwork, including interviews with stakeholders and members of the public, and normative, theoretical analysis. IBMB researchers have won several grants from the SNF, SAMW and other major funders and frequently publish in major bioethics, medical and science journals.

IBMB members are also highly involved in teaching, providing ethics courses for undergraduate students and postgraduate scientists and doctors. A variety of courses are open to the public, including the twice-yearly “Contemporary Issues in Bioethics” lecture series that integrates a lively dialogue with visiting speakers.

If you are interested in collaborating with us, are looking for a PhD student or post-doc job, need ethical input on your own project, or would like us to provide ethics related courses/workshops for your students or research team, please get in touch with us!

16th World Congress of Bioethics

WCB banner

The Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel welcomes you to the 16th World Congress of Bioethics (WCB). The congress will take place as a hybrid congress (in-person or virtual presence) from 20th to the 22nd of July 2022 in Basel.

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics

The Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel (IBMB), Switzerland,is currently looking for dynamic and independent graduate students (Master’s degree) who are interested in carrying out their PhD work in the ethics of…
Andrea Martani

Award from the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel to Andrea Martani

Andrea Martani received an award (Dissertationsauszeichnung) from the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel for his thesis.
Contemporary Debates

Contemporary Debates Spring 2024

The spring semester 24024 edition of the Contemporary Debates in Biomedical Ethics at the IBMB is centered around animal research ethics and the 3R.
NIH

Job opportunity in Maryland (USA)

The Department of Bioethics of the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center in Bethesda (Maryland) is looking to hire an academic bioethicist with a strong research portfolio, who will run their ethics consultation service. Ethics…
INCLUDE Project

Talk by Prof. Dr. Elger at a UZH public event about loneliness and mental health during and after Covid-19, and new research project

Discover [INCLUDE]: INtegrating loneliness mitigation measures in pandemic management plans: An interdisCiplinary in-depth expLoration of psychologically and ethically sUitable interventions to DecreasE social isolation
Fall School 2023

Regulating Genome Editing: Quo Vadis?

The IBMB Fall School 2023 Regulating Genome Editing: Quo Vadis? Date: 6 th and 7 th November Location: University of Basel Kollegienhaus, Petersplatz 1, Room 103. Download Flyer

Publications by Stephen Milford

Here are the most recent publications of our member Dr. (theol.) Stephen Milford: Believe me! Why tesla’s recent alleged malfunction further highlights the need for transparent dialogue Relating to foetal persons: why women’s Voices come…
RESOURCE Winter School

RESOURCE Winter School

This Block Course aims to present and discuss ethical issues that arise in the context of old age, aging, caregiving and (medical) innovation. International scholars share results of their research evolving around questions such as: What…
Routledge Handbook of the Ethics of Human Enhancement

Routledge Handbook of the Ethics of Human Enhancement

Congratulations to IBMB senior researcher Prof. Dr. Fabrice Jotterand and former member Prof. Marcello Ienca for the publication of the book: The Routledge Handbook of the Ethics of Human Enhancement. More information about the book on the…
Marcello Ienca

Marcello Ienca appointed Professor at the Technical University of Munich

Marcello Ienca, former PhD student and winner of the faculty award of the medical faculty of the Unversity of Basel, has been appointed W2 Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience at the School of Medicine of the Technical…
Bernoullistrasse 20

Contact and Address of the
Institute for Biomedical Ethics
Bernoullistrasse 28 - 2nd Floor
4056 Basel
Switzerland

Tel: +41 61 207 17 86