The Bioethics Project

Students take an intensive course in ethical decision-making and bioethics during which they are introduced to key ethical and bioethical concepts through engagement with a range of major topics and cases. These concepts are taught by experts in varying fields and visiting scholars so that students have a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of key ethical principles and the tensions between them. 

Throughout the first trimester of intensive coursework, students are encouraged to consider the topics and determine for themselves which they find most compelling and for which they would like to pursue intensive research. Under the guidance of Kent Place School teachers and Georgetown University research specialists, the students conduct intensive research. They are then paired with a scholar from Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics who serves as a mentor throughout the research and presentation processes. In the winter, students present their preliminary findings to their teachers, mentors, and bioethics experts at a day-long Project Meeting. Students articulate their findings and main ethical questions/considerations, and provide feedback to one another about areas for further research and development.

The annual Bioethics Symposium is the signature event of The Bioethics Project. It is an opportunity for the students to lead their community in educational workshops that showcase their research and ethical analysis. 

Following the Symposium, students complete their individual research papers and create a post on the Bioethics Project website. Final papers are published on this website to serve as an ongoing educational resource for the greater community. The students’ research provides not only pertinent information on relevant bioethical topics but also the ethical framework that one might utilize when considering these critical issues.