INTEGRATING A BIOETHICS COURSE INTO UNDERGRADUATE BIOLOGY EDUCATION

This paper provides a rationale for the inclusion of bioethics in the undergraduate biology education in Bulgaria. Thus, at the Faculty of Biology in the Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", a bioethics course was established, designed to increase students' awareness of social and ethical issues posed by advancement of the biosciences and particularly of modern biotechnology. The range of topics covered by a broader definition of bioethics is presented. A reflective approach to teaching in bioethics is proposed. It focuses on development and self-development of the students as active, self-regulated and autonomous persons able to make well-informed and morally justified decisions about socio-ethical issues in biosciences. Details in delivery of the course are described.