Michael Cook
Editor
BioEdge
Editor
BioEdge
Hi there,
We are back after the Easter break. I’m afraid that I failed to alert subscribers to the gap in continuity. Apologies.
The coincidence of two anniversaries struck me as I was preparing this week’s newsletter. It is the tenth anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo on March 31, 2005 – probably the most controversial bioethics case of all time, if measured by column inches in newspapers or the tonnage of court documents. And it is the 40th anniversary of the publication of Animal Ethics, the book which launched Peter Singer’s career as a public philosopher.
The two events have much in common. Terri’s life support was withdrawn because American courts were persuaded that because she no longer had interests which extended over time, she would suffer no harm in dying. And Singer’s main argument for expanding the circle of protection to include pigs and dolphins is that they do have these interests.
From this angle the most important issue in bioethics, then, must be: is there anything special in simply being a human being, regardless of how conscious he or she is, regardless of whether his or her interests extend over time? At the moment the pendulum seems to be swinging towards Singer’s utilitarianism. I wonder whether there will be a reaction as he fades from the scene.
by Xavier Symons | Apr 12, 2015
Can a teenager be responsible for mass murder?
by Xavier Symons | Apr 12, 2015
What is the role of neuroscience in the courtroom?
by Michael Cook | Apr 12, 2015
Australian case shows agony of hospital staff.
by Michael Cook | Apr 12, 2015
No evidence that a rate of more than 10% saves the lives of mothers or babies
by Michael Cook | Apr 12, 2015
Guantanamo Bay is not the only place where American health workers’ ethics clash with the need for security.
by Michael Cook | Apr 12, 2015
Two Canadian researchers insist that there is sufficient evidence to believe claims of organ harvesting.
by Xavier Symons | Apr 12, 2015
Johns Hopkins responds that the allegations are groundless.
by Xavier Symons | Apr 12, 2015
Republican governor Sam Brownback bans “dilation and evacuation” abortion procedure
by Xavier Symons | Apr 03, 2015
Philosopher Kristján Kristjánsson recently spoke to BioEdge about the importance of virtue in medicine.BioEdge Suite 12A, Level 2 | 5 George St | North Strathfield NSW 2137 | Australia Phone: +61 2 8005 8605 Mobile: 0422-691-615 Email: michael@bioedge.org |
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario