The Archdiocese of Brisbane collaborates with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and several Queensland Catholic health care organisations to provide research, education and training to help doctors, nurses, aged-care workers, bishops and priests make ethical decisions.
Based at the ACU campus at Banyo, the Queensland Bioethics Centre (QBC) combines university research, health care experience and religious intellectual tradition to advise on key bioethical issues that touch our lives. These include abortion, euthanasia, care of the dying, nutrition and hydration, living wills, assisted reproductive technologies, research on humans and cloning.
The work of the QBC includes regular briefings on current bioethical issues, the development of high-quality resources, and workshops for professional and community groups and parishes. An introduction to bioethics for school groups can be arranged by appointment.
Play your part
Many of the issues in bioethics touch upon public policy. We all have the potential to play a part in forming public policy through our elected members of parliament and through groups which advocate respect for all human life, for example Cherish Life Queensland. The Queensland Bioethics Centre can advise you on contacting your local members of parliament or advocacy and/or support groups.