Attitudes of Biology Students Toward Ethical Issues Concerning the Beginning and The End of Human Life in Albania

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the attitude towards ethical issues regarding the beginning and the end of human life among biology students. The study has two phases: during first phase 118 participants had to fill a questionnaire regarding their cultural value, religious beliefs and their attitude towards situations about abortion and euthanasia. Statistics show different level of knowledge about abortion and euthanasia among biology students. 1% of the students don't have any kind of information about abortion, 51% are somehow informed and 48% are well informed. The situation regarding euthanasia is different. 43,22% of the students don't even know what euthanasia means, 48,31% have some information about the practice of intentionally ending life to relieve pain and only 8,47% are well informed. The results show a significant lack of information about euthanasia. All the situations where students justify abortion are predicted by the law. So, even when students face situations regarding selective abortion, they are against it. Regarding euthanasia, the situation is different. They appear more openminded but at the same time they show a strong connection with the family and traditional value (even when the patient is adult and responsible, students don't justify euthanasia without family consent). Second phase of the study includes the students attending bioethical course during their studies for master degree in education. They present their attitude toward abortion and euthanasia through different cases they choose themselves. Even in this phase, students are against selective abortion. As for euthanasia, students weight quality versus quantity of life.