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!
News
/ Research
Can routine data from prisoners' files be used to estimate prevalence rates of illicit drug use among prisoners?
Abstract: Objectives: The paper examines whether routine data from prisoners’ files is a useful basis to estimate prevalence rates of illicit drug use among prisoners. Methods Medico-legal files of 190 younger (20–49 years) and 190 older…/ Studies, Research
Feelings of Burden in Palliative Care: A Qualitative Analysis of Medical Records.
Care for palliative care patients is often provided by unpaid caregivers (eg, family members) who take care of the patient's daily needs (eg, bathing, dressing). Family members of palliative care patients are involved in numerous ways.…/ Studies
The Ethics of Health Care Delivery in a Pediatric Malaria Vaccine Trial: The Perspectives of Stakeholders From Ghana and Tanzania
Abstract: This study explores ethical issues raised in providing medical care to participants and communities of low-resource settings involved in a Phase II/III pediatric malaria vaccine trial (PMVT). We conducted 52 key informant…Contact
Institute for Biomedical Ethics
Bernoullistrasse 28 - 2nd Floor
4056 Basel
Switzerland
Tel: +41 61 207 17 86