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| Evaluation Report |
Bioethics Institute Conference Evaluation
St. Paul, MN
June 14 - 19, 2003
Mohammed Douglah
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Abstract |
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| From June 14-19, 2003, scientists and educators from United States, Denmark and from Israel gathered to participate in the seventh annual Bioethics Institute held in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the start of the Institute a questionnaire was handed out gauging participants' perceived levels of knowledge about core bioethical topics, themes, and their feelings toward incorporating bioethics into their professional activities and attitudes toward GMO products. It also inquired participants about current and intended behaviors in relation to addressing bioethics in their teaching, research and outreach activities. The same questionnaire was handed out at the end but expanded to include questions evaluating organizational aspects and perceived outcomes of the Institute. Twenty-three matched pre- and post-Institute questionnaires were returned and four additional respondents provided demographic information.. A pre- and post-analysis of data revealed highly significant increases in knowledge related to each of the bioethical topics or themes presented during the Institute; and four statements related to feelings about incorporating bioethics into their professional activities produced statistically significant results. Overall views and sentiments toward GMO products revealed a subtle increase toward the positive; however, no statistically significant differences were found. Yet of more specific questions pertaining to GMOs, two questions did produce statistically significant differences between pre- and post-Institute scores. A statistically significant difference was found in the amount of time participants currently devoted to addressing bioethical issues and the amount of time they intend to devote for the future. Additionally, statistically significant differences were found in relation to the extent participants currently subject and will subject their research to ethical considerations and the extent to which they currently engage and intend to engage in ethical discussions with their colleagues. Overall, participant reactions to the Institute were favorable with mean scores for instructional quality ranging from 4.3 to 4.8 on a 5 point scale. |
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