ABSTRACT
To assess awareness, attitudes and opinions regarding bioethical issues among graduate students and faculty/researchers of universities in Lahore, Pakistan. A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was designed and sent to 700 students and faculty members/researchers of 14 academic departments/research institutions of seven universities in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS 16.0. We obtained responses from 87% [614/700] participants. The sample populations appeared receptive to latest developments in science and technology; and were optimistic that such developments will have positive effect on their lives. On average almost 90% of the respondents were familiar with the term "bioethics"; 75.4% of the respondents desired that bioethics should be taught regularly in the classes. However, students of two important disciplines of knowledge i.e law and Islamic studies had awareness levels of only 43% and '0'% respectively regarding the term bioethics. A vast majority of the respondents were not satisfied with the state laws, policies, rules, regulations and institutions concerned with bioethical issues. The survey indicated that cloning [27.2%], abortion [24.6%] and organ donation [13.2%] are regarded as the most important bioethical issues, probably for specific reasons of the glamour attached to the technology, moral connotations and the hype created by media respectively. Educated youth in general have positive attitude towards S and T and its effect on their lives. Awareness level among students and faculty of life sciences is very high; however it is dismally low among students of Law and Islamic studies. The results of this survey does not necessarily mirror the awareness level, attitudes and opinions in the society at large since literacy level among the masses is low [57%] and prevalence of higher levels of education is even lower
ABSTRACT
To determine the awareness level regarding bioethical issues among graduate and Post graduate students and faculty of Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan. The study was carried out at the campus of Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan. it was a questionnaire based survey. Most of the participants were graduate students having relatively better knowledge of Science and Technology as 90.4% of them were found to be familiar with the term "Bioethics". it was encouraging to note that students at this level of education had positive opinion about the role of Science and Technology and had accepted its importance in their daily lives. The fact that the students are eager to learn more about bioethical issues was borne out by our data as 96% students were of the opinion that Bioethics should be taught regularly in the classes. There was a general agreement among the respondents that the government's policies on Bioethical issues are not satisfactory and that the issues need to be addressed; albeit within the frame work of religious [Islamic] teachings. The survey indicated that Cloning, Organ donation, GMO's, Contraception, Abortion and Stem Cell Research are regarded as the most important bioethical issues. Curriculum of educational institutions including Universities, Colleges and Schools should include appropriate courses on bioethics. The society in general needs to debate the issues through conferences, seminars, workshops and media for enhancing awareness, allaying fears and formulating opinions based on correct information