Discourse Analysis for Exploring Bioethics in Biomedical and Medical Sciences Education

Abstract

​Bioethical debates need to be contextualised within social, political and ideological contexts. Discourse analysis (DA) is an effective method for providing a means of understanding the power systems that construct ‘truth’ within health and health care practices, and the influences motivating health policy. Incorporating DA approaches to Biomedical and Medical Science (BMS) education can offer richer insights into the texts that provide a barometer of sociocultural change. Within the biomedical and medical curriculum, this should include a broad range of perspective on bioethical issues encouraging a more ‘global’ understanding of the range of issues involved in a bioethical debate. The present paper offers an illustration of how DA can be incorporated into BMS education through examining the medical cannabis debate. Using DA approaches allows students to explore the culture, politics, and conflicting values that underpin the medical cannabis positions. In particular, it focuses on how the concepts of ‘addiction’ and ‘prohibition’ associated with certain drugs as defined by institutions and social actors have influenced perceptions of these drugs and their use, and in turn influenced medical cannabis policy.