About Us
Bioethikos is a SPS-recognized student club founded in Fall 2017.
Our mission is to provide CU graduate students with a medium to explore interdisciplinary bioethical areas, engage in thoughtful discussions, organize to attend events related to bioethics in New York and elsewhere, and interconnect the greater Columbia University graduate communities who are interested in bioethics.
Bioethikos is not officially affiliated with Columbia University SPS's MS in Bioethics program.
Important club links
"Decoding your baby's DNA: It can be done. But should it be?" from the Los Angeles Times
"What if all babies had their genomes sequenced?" This article explores many aspects of gene sequencing, with the added complication of sequencing the DNA of infants, individuals who do not yet have voices to advocate for themselves. In the immediate span of things, sequencing a baby's DNA seems to assuage parental fears of the unknown (like potential diseases, life-changing conditions, or genetic mutations). But what happens when the baby grows up and is awarded the right to make his/her own life and medical decisions?
"British court rules against parents seeking treatment for terminally ill son" from CBS News
The parents of a terminally ill toddler, Alfie Evans, sought permission from the U.K. to transport their son to Italy for medical treatment. The U.K. courts ruled against them, claiming that given Alfie's diagnosis and prognosis, further medical treatment for the toddler is unjustified. According to British law, it is "common for courts to intervene when parents and doctors disagree on the treatment of a child," but where should the boundaries be drawn?
"Mississippi bans abortions at 15 weeks, earliest in the nation" from CNN
A constant debate in the world of bioethics, let alone the nation. This law also puts doctor’s licenses on the line. If providers perform abortions after 15 weeks, their licenses can be suspended or revoked.