Bioethics: why philosophy is essential for progress. Issue 1 (16th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Savulescu, Julian
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical ethics. Volume 41:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2014-12-16
• Subjects: Research Ethics; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 174.2
• DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2014-102284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-6800

Abstract

Abstract : It is the JME 's 40th anniversary and my 20th anniversary working in the field. I reflect on the nature of bioethics and medical ethics. I argue that both bioethics and medical ethics together have, in many ways, failed as fields. My diagnosis is that better philosophy is needed. I give some examples of the importance of philosophy to bioethics. I focus mostly on the failure of ethics in research and organ transplantation, although I also consider genetic selection, enhancement, cloning, futility, disability and other topics. I do not consider any topic comprehensively or systematically or address the many reasonable objections to my arguments. Rather, I seek to illustrate why philosophical analysis and argument remain as important as ever to progress in bioethics and medical ethics.