Healthcare Ethics
Ethics of the public where diverse lives gather
Considering consensus and norms regarding healthcare, science, and policies
Dept. of Healthcare Ethics
Professor: Yusuke Inoue
URL: (Under construction)
Today, the concept of ethics has become an important (and tricky) keyword not only for patients and healthcare providers but also in the fields of research and development, dissemination and reporting of knowledge and information in society, and decision-making and operation of policies in the country. Moreover, the response to ethics has become an even more important issue in corporate activities domestically and internationally and in the field of industry-academia collaboration.
We welcome individuals interested in ethical, legal, and social issues related to medical and health sciences, public health, and healthcare. Whether you want to delve deeper into themes such as decision-making in healthcare, exploration of the body and life, and the direction of policies, or if you want to capture and shape societal movements or propose a better society, we welcome those who have such passionate feelings. We are waiting for people eager to learn about paper reading and research methods, regardless of their background in humanities or sciences.
Research and Education
Contents of Education (Coursework)
We focus not only on research topics related to the ethics of medical and health sciences and public health but also on introductory and applied education for thinking about ethical issues related to healthcare and research.
In addition to core subjects (Basic Medical Ethics), we are responsible for specialized lectures.
We also provide topics for relay lectures and other lecture series.
Specific Research Topics
Individuals with various attributes and perspectives are expected to participate in this field. While individual awareness of issues is important, it is also essential that it can be developed into research. Please approach with a sense of awareness and motivation to tackle actual problems while acquiring methodology and knowledge.
The following are the major themes; however, the study of ethics is not limited to these topics. Specific themes will be decided upon through consultation according to your career path and interests.
a. Ethics of advanced medical care and medical science
Advanced medical care includes unestablished care. We consider ethical issues related to the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.
b. Ethics of public health and epidemiology
We consider issues that cannot be solved solely by maximizing individual benefits, such as human rights issues associated with public projects and the allocation of medical resources.
c. Ethics of healthcare and health data and the use of human tissues
We consider ethical issues surrounding the current medical science infrastructure, such as biobanks and disease registries.
d. Development of medical ethics and institutions
When considering today’s issues, a cultural and historical perspective is essential.
Consideration of educational materials for the future development of medical AI and the physician-patient relationships
(Osaka Hoken-Yi Zassi 2024:4;12-16.)
Examining local governments’ “Corona Human Rights Ordinances” during the pandemic
(Annual Report on Medical Law 2021:36;65-73, Medical Business 2021:607;16-20.)
We have been involved in planning and writing educational materials related to the ethics of healthcare and research (e.g., “Ethics of Medical Research and Clinical Trials: Learning from Case Studies in Japan,” published by Nihon Hyoronsha).
Awareness of citizens and scholars regarding human–animal chimeric embryo research
(Cell Stem Cell 2016:19(2);152-153)