Recent research projects conducted or coordinated by members of BIG, inversely ordered by termination date:
Ethics of Neuromodulation Researcher: Dr Farah Focquaert Supervisor Prof. Dr Johan Braeckman Funding Agency: Scientific Research Foundation Onderzoeksplan
Neuroenhancement Technology. An Ethical Analysis and Study of the Conditions for Research and Clinical Trials 01.01.2007-31.12.2010 Researcher: Dr An Ravelingien Supervisors: Prof. Dr Johan Braeckman, Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier, Prof. Dr Eric Mortier, Prof. Dr Dirk De Ridder, Prof. Dr Paul Boon, Prof. Dr Luc Crevits Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders; Research project (G.0048.07) Research Plan
Ethical Aspects of the Commercialisation of Academic Research 01.10.2006 - 30.09.2009 Researcher: Prof. Dr Sigrid Sterckx Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (FWO) Research plan (Onderzoeksplan)
Patients' Disposition Decisions Regarding Surplus Cryopreserved Embryos 01.10.2005 - 30.09.2009 Researcher(s): Dr Veerle Provoost, Prof. Dr Guido Pennings, Prof. Dr P. De Sutter*, Prof Dr. J. Gerris*, Prof. Dr A. Van de Velde* and Prof. Dr M. Dhont* *Infertility Centre, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent. Promotor: Prof. Dr Guido Pennings Funding Agency: 01.10.2005 - 30.10.2006: BOF (Ghent University research fund) 01.10.2006 - 30.09.2009: Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO)
An increasing number of patients who underwent in-vitro-fertilization treatments are confronted with disposition decisions regarding cryopreserved supernumerary embryos. In Belgium, four options are available: continued storage, donation to other(s) for reproductive purposes, donation for research and discarding. The project has three aims: to assess the frequency of different decisions; to identify relevant clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients; and to examine important features of the decision-making proces. Four studies will be conducted: a retrospective study of registration data of a patient mailing program, a patient mailsurvey, and two patient interview studies.
Scientific Answers and Technical Solutions to Ethical Issues in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate 01.10.2006 - 30.09.2009 Researcher: Dr Katrien Devolder Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) Research plan (Onderzoeksplan)
Monitoring the Quality of End-of-Life Care in Flanders 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2008 Partner SBO-IWT-project Promotor: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens (Free Univeristy of Brussels) Copromotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier
An ethical analysis of age as a criterion for decision making in health care 01.10.2006 - 30.09.2008 Researcher: Lodewijck Jonckheere Promotor: Prof. Dr Guido Pennings Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (FWO)
In the context of scarce resources, age is brought up as a relevant criterion for distributing certain rights. Linking age to rights is very common on the one hand, but a differential approach on the basis of age is rejected as a form of discrimination on the other hand. It is my aim to investigate whether or not an age-criterion can be just, and if so, under which conditions.
The role of nurses in the decision making and performance of euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions : a representative study in Flanders 01.01.2005 - 31-12-2008 Promotor: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens Copromotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO) (G.0503.05)
An information and communication covenant between patient and physician for the end of life. A possible solution for conflicts between physician benevolence and patient autonomy 01.01.2005- 31-12-2008 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Copromotor: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens (Free University Brussels) Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO) (G.0370.05)
The interaction of ethical and scientific arguments in the stem cell debate 03.01.2005 - 12.31.2008 Researcher: Heidi Mertes Promotors: Prof. Dr Guido Pennings, Prof. Dr André Van Steirteghem Funding agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO)
The interaction of ethical, medical and scientific arguments in the stem cell debate is studied, based on literature research and critical analysis. The used method is that of the reflective equilibrium, which attempts to bridge the gap between facts and values. Specifically, scientific and ethical publications dealing with stem cell research are monitored. Based on these publications, the main ethical problems and positions are isolated, the interaction between science and ethics in the context of stem cell research is studied and the argumentations are analysed.
The Relation between the Competency to Decide About the End of Live and Self-Determination Rights for Minors 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2006 Researcher: Debbie Mannaerts Supervisor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO) (G.0310.03)
Pig Tales, Human Chimeras and Man-Made Public Health Hazards. An Ethical Analysis of Xenotransplant Benefits and Risks 01.01.2003-31.12.2006 Researcher: An Ravelingien Supervisors: Prof. Dr Johan Braeckman, Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier, Prof. Dr Eric Mortier, Prof. Dr Ilse Kerremans Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO) (G.0303.03N)
The aim of this research project was to examine the potential of and ethical problems related to several strategies to augment the transplantation rate. The research resulted in a PhD dissertation on the ethics of xenotransplantation, entitled 'Pig tales, human chimeras and man-made public health hazards: An ethical analysis of xenotransplant benefits and risks.' The dissertation intends to contribute to the broader debate of how to weigh the potential benefits of xenotransplantation against the costs that it may infer on the relevant agents at stake. Within this scope, special attention is focussed on possible harms that arise uniquely or predominantly within the context of xenotransplantation. The thesisis available online. Click here for a summary.
Evaluation of the Quality of Palliative Care in the Homesetting: the Patient's Perspective 01.10.2003 - 31-09-2007 Researcher: Lieven Van den Block Promotor: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens (Free University of Brussels) Copromotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO)
The Ethics and Regulation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: A Critical Analysis of the Debate 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2005 Researcher: Katrien Devolder Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Special Research Fund of Ghent University (BOF) This thesis is available in pdf format.
Determinants of end-of-life decisions in medical practice: practices, beliefs and attitudes of general physicians and clinical specialists in Flanders 01.01.2001 - 31.12.2004 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Copromotors: Prof. Dr Guy De Backer, Prof. Dr Luc Deliens Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO) (G.0306.01)
Medisch-ethische kwaliteitszorg bij beslissingen van artsen rond het levenseinde: protocolontwikkeling voor de eerstelijnsgezondheidszorg 01.2.2001- 31.01.2003 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Copromotors: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens, Prof. Dr Robert Vander Stichele Funding Agency: DWTC Research information
End of Life Practices in Newborns and Infants (HALP's bij pasgeborenen en zuigelingen) 01.01.2000 - 31.12.2003 Promotor: Prof. Dr Luc Deliens Co-promotors: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier, Prof. Dr Robert Vander Stichele Funding Agency: Special Research Fund of the Flemish Speaking Free University of Brussels (OZR VUB).
End-of-life decisions in medical practice: attitudes and practices in 6 European countries 01.10.2000 - 31.09.2003 Principal Contractant European Commisison 5th Framework project (Belgium, Danmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switserland
Biotechnology as a Challenge for Inquiry into Values. Towards a New Paradigm for Approaching the Problematic Interaction Between Nature and Culture 01.10.1997-31.09.2003 Promotor: Prof. Dr Etienne Vermeersch, Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: GOA (nr. 12053394)
Natuureducatie van privé-boseigenaars in Vlaanderen/Environmental Education of Private Forest Owners in Flanders 31.12.2000 - 31.12.2002 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Copromotors: Prof. Dr L. N. Lust (Laboratory of forestry, UGent), Prof. Dr L. Hens (Human Ecology, Free Univeristy of Brussels) Funding Agency: VLINA (0018)
The Perception of Ecological Functions of Forests: Attitudes of Private Forest Owners in Flanders 01.11.98 - 31.10.2001 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Co-promotor: Prof. Dr Noël l. Lust, Laboratory for Forestry UGent. Funding Agency: VLINA (Vlaams Impulsprogramma Natuurbehoud)
Verkennend Europees Onderzoek Beslissingen rond het levenseinde van patiënten in Europa 01.01.1999 - 31.12.2000 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier
Attitudes and Behaviour of Doctors Concerning the End of Life of their Patient 01.01.1997 - 31.12.2000 Member of the research team: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Promotors: Prof. Dr Freddy Louckx, Prof. Dr Hugo Van den Enden, Prof . Dr Jan De Maeseneer and Prof Dr. Benjamin Van Camp Funding Agency: Fund for Scientific Research -Flanders (FWO) together with the Ministery of Social Affairs, Public Health and Environment (nr. G.0117.97).
Study Bioethics: Regulation in Europe on Reproductive Medicine 01.07.1999 - 31.08.2000 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Ministry of Social Affairs, Public Health and Environment.
PECOSUD: Philosophical and Economic Fundamental for Sustainable Development 01.04.1998 - 16.10.1999 Promotor: Prof. Dr Freddy Mortier Funding Agency: Flemish Community (Vlaamse Gemeenschap)