How can doctors maintain professional impartiality while respecting a patient’s personal choices? How should they communicate with those making difficult decisions about reproductive health, the treatment of incurable diseases, or organ transplantation? These and other questions became the focus of the interuniversity discussion platform "Ethics and Morality in Medicine," which took place on March 17, 2025, as part of the ethical education of medical students.
The discussion involved first- and second-year students of Semey Medical University under the guidance of Head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Topographic Anatomy S.K. Kozhanova and Deputy Head G.M. Esbolatova, as well as students of groups 135 and 136 of the School of Medicine at Astana Medical University, mentored by Professor of the Department of Human Anatomy named after A.B. Aubakirov, F.M. Suleimenova, and Senior Lecturer G.K. Sagimova.
During the discussion, students explored key ethical dilemmas related to in vitro fertilization, abortion, euthanasia, and organ donation. The debate addressed moral and religious aspects, potential abuses in these areas, and the risks of commercialization of medical decisions.
Particular attention was given to the role of the physician: how to build a trusting dialogue with a patient facing such difficult decisions, how to consider their individual circumstances without imposing personal beliefs, and how the medical community can minimize the risks of bias and discrimination.
The format of the discussion platform allowed students not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to develop the ability to present and defend their arguments while respecting the opinions of colleagues and patients. This discussion became an essential step in preparing future doctors, who will need to make complex decisions and support patients through life’s most challenging moments.
The discussion took place in an open and engaging atmosphere, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and professional responsibility—essential qualities for any modern physician.
