BioCEP (BioEthics Cross-cultural Education Program) is a cooperative effort by Columbia University's Center for Bioethics and Knowledge Exchange Institute.
The primary objective is to help students understand how culture and religion influence controversial issues related to bioethics and medical ethics including: emerging infections (Swine flu, HIV, SARS and malaria), integration of Western and Eastern medicines, medical tourism, stem cell research, organ transplantation, informed consent, malnutrition, abortion, public health, genetic testing and reproductive medicine.
BioCEP is an ideal opportunity for students and faculty to experience bioethics and public health in another country and to view, on-site, the impact of diverse cultural and religious attitudes on global public health education and delivery.
Issues in medicine and bioethics are becoming cross-cultural as more countries debate genetic engineering, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, sex selection, abortion, designer babies, euthanasia, end of life and scientific research funding.
Ethics education develops the knowledge and strategic thinking skills needed to address common dilemmas that exist today and in the future, as new biotechnologies emerge.
Announcement
The summer 2012 program in Thailand is cancelled due to a change in the academic calendar.
Biocep in Thailand will resume in Summer 2013.
Biocep will be offered in India for summer 2012.
Locations
BioCEP is offered in Bangkok, Thailand and Pune, India.
The program in Thailand is based at Mahidol University.
The program in India is based at Symbiosis International University.
Both institutions are recognized as leading research universities and medical centers in their respective regions.
Thailand and India are emerging countries engaged in resolving a wide variety of bioethical issues.
Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist-based culture with a small Muslim minority.
India is a predominantly Hindu-based culture with a large Muslim influence.
Both countries present a stark contrast to the predominant culture and religions of the United States and Europe.
Thailand, India, European Union and United States share contentious bioethical and medical ethical issues such as:
How best to allocate limited funds to support both biomedical research and clinical programs.
How to resolve the bioethical issues related to stem cell research.
How to balance traditional religious and cultural values with current biomedical research and clinical application of new biotechnologies.
How to apply advancing biotechnologies in reproductive medicine within an ethical platform.
How to resolve public health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, drug abuse, smoking, and unwanted pregnancies.
There are also many ethical issues that are unique to Thailand and India, including:
Medical tourism (cosmetic surgery, sex change operations, dental procedures, and organ transplantation).
Developing detection, educational, and treatment programs for devastating and emerging infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, avian flu, and SARS.
Integration of Western medicine with traditional Eastern alternative medical procedures and medications.
Developing innovative educational and treatment programs for genetic based diseases such as Thalassemia.
Role of family, physicians and Monks in genetic counseling.
Visit the Thailand and India program sites for detailed information about fees, inclusions, dates, logistics, housing, cultural excursions and onsite support.
Program Participants
BioCEP participants come from diverse educational backgrounds including undergraduate students interested in law, business, health sciences and health-related fields as well as graduate students in public health, bioethics, biotechnology, dentistry and medicine.
Equally important, these students represent different cultural and religious backgrounds.
Since BioCEP's inception in 2007 over 100 students and 20 professors have participated in the program.
BioCEP participants include students from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, the United Arab Emirates, Myanmar and Thailand.
BioCEP Executive Committee
Ruth L. Fischbach, Director of the Center for Bioethics, Columbia University
John D. Loike, Director of Special Projects, Center for Bioethics, Columbia University
Brian Phillips, Assistant Dean, International Relations Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University
Eduard Mandell, Managing Director, Knowledge Exchange Institute
The program curriculum combines lectures, seminars, professional visits and cultural excursions.
Clinical internship are available for interested students.
Academic credit and official transcripts are issued by the host university (Mahidol University, Thailand or Symbiosis International University, India) and Clark Atlanta University (accredited in the USA).
Courses are taught as a seminar by professors from Columbia University and the host university abroad.
Guest speakers from the Ministry of Health, local hospitals and other relevant organizations are invited to present lectures and workshops.
Courses
Students enroll in the following two courses for a total of 6 credits.
Download the syllabi.Frontiers in Cross Cultural Bioethics (3 credits)
This course examines underlying principles of biotechnologies and ethical controversies brought about by advances in science and medicine. Students will engage in dialogue about scientific, social, legal and ethical issues related to new technology. Topics include human stem cell research, human cloning, genetically modified organisms, reproductive medicine, neuroethics and medical genetics.
Prerequisites: none
Medical Diplomacy & Anthropology (3 credits)
This course examines how culture and society are organized and impacted by issues of health. Discussions center around health care demands within a global environment and topics include the definition of disease, human trafficking, and disaster prevention and management. Students will explore medical diplomacy as a form of international relations in which medical and health care assets and resources are used to encourage positive relations between nations and/or exchange specific benefits between nations.
Prerequisites: none
Academic Goals & Outcomes
The goal of this program is to facilitate, for both students and faculty, important insights into how diverse cultures and governments attempt to resolve challenging bioethical issues.
Outcomes go beyond classical classroom-based education.
BioCEP fosters experience in real-life situations, creative thinking, and conflict resolution, all of which are essential components in cultivating the next generation of leaders graduating from American and international universities.
BioCEP better enables students to:
Gain insights into how each culture and government attempts to resolve challenging bioethical issues.
Analyze real-life situations.
Foster creative thinking and conflict resolution.
Build human bridges from diverse cultures.
Better understand the commonality of diverse religions and cultures.
The human bonding and respect that develop between students is one of the most important outcomes.
In a world where so many wars and conflicts are based on religious and cultural differences, students in BioCEP gain an understanding of the commonality of cultures and religions that established human bonds and collegiality.
Participating in BioCEP builds friendships and academic bridges.
Applicants will be selected by the Admissions Committee based on their academic record, 500-word essay and an interview.
Students must complete the KEI application process.
Additional information may be requested by the selection committee.
Applications must be completed by March 10.
Students are encouraged to apply early.
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduates who have completed their first year.
Medical students who have completed their first year.
Graduate students in schools of public health or other graduate programs who have completed at least one semester of study.
Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
Admissions Committee
Dr. Donna Shelley-Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, New York University Medical Center
Dr. Kathleen McDermott -- Vice President - Office of Global Programs, Columbia University
Ms. Megan Rigney -- Director of Preprofessional Advising - Columbia College / SEAS-Columbia University
Dr. Ruth L. Fischbach, Director of the Center for Bioethics, Columbia University
Dr. John D. Loike, Director of Special Projects, Center for Bioethics, Columbia University
Enrollment
Upon acceptance, students must decide whether to participate by March 31, 2010.
Enrollment documents and an $850 security-damage deposit are required at that time.
The remaining balance must be paid by May 1, 2010.
