The National Bioethics Bowl is an intercollegiate academic competition among undergraduates at accredited four-year institutions, held each April. Unlike general ethics competitions, the Bioethics Bowl focuses exclusively on ethical issues in the health and biological sciences.
Teams receive approximately 14 case studies in late January covering controversial bioethical issues. Each team researches the cases and formulates well-structured logical analyses for three questions posed about each case.
Round Format
Coin Flip
A coin is flipped. The winning team chooses whether to present or respond to the opposing team.
Presenting Team 10 mins
The presenting team articulates arguments in support of their response and thoughtfully considers alternative viewpoints.
Opposing Team 5 mins
The opposing team responds to the presenting team’s arguments and identifies weaknesses or oversights.
Presenting Team 5 mins
The presenting team responds to the opposing team’s critiques and defends their position.
Judge Q&A 10 mins
A panel of three judges asks the presenting team questions and records scores.
Role Reversal
The roles reverse, and the process starts once more, with the presenting team becoming the opposing team and vice versa.
To learn more about the National Bioethics Bowl, click here.