A new Italian information resource on Bioethics and its integration with other European systems Maurella Della Seta and Scilla Pizzarelli Documentation Service Italian National Institute of Health

Introduction Developments in science, medicine and technology Developments in science, medicine and technology Ethical dilemmas Ethical dilemmas Information tools can ensure the exchange of knowledge and ideas and encourage moral reflection Information tools can ensure the exchange of knowledge and ideas and encourage moral reflection

Definition of Bioethics A field of study concerned with value questions that arise in health care, in the professional patient relationship and in biomedical research A field of study concerned with value questions that arise in health care, in the professional patient relationship and in biomedical research Medical ethics (including rights and duties of health professionals and patients) Medical ethics (including rights and duties of health professionals and patients) Social impact of biomedical, behavioural, genetic research and technology. Social impact of biomedical, behavioural, genetic research and technology.

Where can I find information on Bioethics? Bioethics has an interdisciplinary nature, involving science, law and philosophy Bioethics has an interdisciplinary nature, involving science, law and philosophy Updated and reliable information is required not only by scientists, but also by citizens and patients Updated and reliable information is required not only by scientists, but also by citizens and patients Information is scattered through a variety of sources Information is scattered through a variety of sources

Our Project Started in 2001 Started in 2001 Aim: implementing an integrated system for data collection and exchange of documents related to bioethics Aim: implementing an integrated system for data collection and exchange of documents related to bioethics Survey through a questionnaire sent to about 200 institutions, assessing the state of the art of Italian information resources Survey through a questionnaire sent to about 200 institutions, assessing the state of the art of Italian information resources Analysis of available Italian Web resources Analysis of available Italian Web resources

SIBIL: the web site SIBIL collects data from printed and electronic sources SIBIL collects data from printed and electronic sources Information on courses, educational programs events and congresses Information on courses, educational programs events and congresses News section on the national ethical debate News section on the national ethical debate Links to other relevant web sites Links to other relevant web sites

SIBIL home page

The SIBIL Database Almost 5,000 records Almost 5,000 records References from References from Journal articles (from 84 journal titles) Books and book chapters Laws and regulations (some of them in full text) Selection of international legislation Electronic resources Ethical committee opinions Ethical guidelines

The SIBIL database home page

Record sample – Journal article

The Refine Search form

Monograph record

Book Chapter

An indexing tool: the Italian Bioethics Thesaurus Developed by a team of bioethicists, physicians and information professionals Developed by a team of bioethicists, physicians and information professionals Derived from Bioethics Thesaurus - US Kennedy Institute of Ethics (originally including about 800 terms) Derived from Bioethics Thesaurus - US Kennedy Institute of Ethics (originally including about 800 terms) It includes now over 1600 descriptors linked by semantic and hierarchical relationships It includes now over 1600 descriptors linked by semantic and hierarchical relationships Scope notes in Italian Scope notes in Italian

Italian – English version

Bioethics debate in Italy Assisted reproductive technologies Assisted reproductive technologies Artificial Insemination, Cloning, In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogate Mothers Artificial Insemination, Cloning, In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogate Mothers Death and dying Death and dying Euthanasia, Advance directives, Resuscitation orders Euthanasia, Advance directives, Resuscitation orders Environmental Ethics Environmental Ethics Emerging topic in Italy Emerging topic in Italy

SIBIL and its possible European integration - 1 EURETHNET (European Information Network Ethics in Medicine and Biotechnology) – EURETHNET (European Information Network Ethics in Medicine and Biotechnology) – Development of an information network integrating databases and other information resources in the field of European ethics in medicine and biotechnology. Development of an information network integrating databases and other information resources in the field of European ethics in medicine and biotechnology. Internet portal, database network, multilingual thesaurus Internet portal, database network, multilingual thesaurus

SIBIL and its possible European integration FASTER - Feasibility study for an Advanced Systematic documentation, information and communication Tool in the field of Ethical issues in science, Research and technology FASTER - Feasibility study for an Advanced Systematic documentation, information and communication Tool in the field of Ethical issues in science, Research and technology Infrastructure for a European network Infrastructure for a European network

SIBIL in the framework of a European Network With a view to European integration, the SIBIL database has been conceived as a flexible tool for international cooperation With a view to European integration, the SIBIL database has been conceived as a flexible tool for international cooperation Important steps in this direction: Important steps in this direction: choice of a software allowing data exchange choice of a software allowing data exchange English translation of the web site and of the thesaurus English translation of the web site and of the thesaurus

The SIBIL team