Center for Clinical Bioethics

Jose Maria Pardo

Section: Visiting Scholar Program

José María Pardo Sáenz, visiting scholar August 6, 2007 - May 30, 2008, is professor of moral theology at the University of Navarra, Spain.

Research Topic: The fetus as a patient

Research Summary:
The research I intend to carry out aims to examine closely American reflections concerning the concept of fetus as a patient.
Nowadays there are some authors that support that the embryos-fetus is not always a person. It is my intention to highlight the theme discussed in present debates:

• The fetus is a patient because is a human being
• The fetus is a patient because is susceptible of diagnosis and treatment.
• The vocation of the science to the service of the human life

The methodology I aim to use in order to achieve these objectives will consist of the following steps:

• Acquisition in a systematic way of existing documentation on the subjects. In this sense, carrying out the research from within the National Center for Bioethics Literature and the university's medical librar will be significant.
• Participation in lessons, seminars, and conferences offered on these subjects at the university.