Defining Bioethics

Bioethics is the study of the ethical, social, legal, philosophical and other related issues arising in the biological sciences and in health care. The role of Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council includes providing information on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology.

Biotechnology Challenges Our Thinking

Ethics, spirituality and culture influence how humans think and act. Issues in biotechnology have the potential to challenge the deeply-held beliefs and traditions surrounding ethics, spirituality and culture. For example issues related to genetic modification are challenging because the human genetic code is the biological basis for who we are.

Biotechnology Raises Issues With Cultural, Ethical And Spiritual Dimensions

Some ethical issues are associated with risk. These include such questions as:

• What level of risk is acceptable.
• How to respond to uncertainty.
• Who decides, and who carries the risk.

The risks and benefits may apply not only to individuals, but also to public health and ecosystems.

Examples of other ethical issues:

• For what purposes should GM technology be used?
• By whom and under what conditions?
• Are there activities that should never be allowed, even if we are able to overcome the safety issues?

Biotechnology issues can challenge and extend our social and cultural understandings and systems, for example, our views and beliefs about:

• The intrinsic value of organisms.
• The integrity of species.
• The choices we make when having children and forming families.

Such issues can also be thought about in terms of spirituality.

Some Definitions Of 'Ethics', 'Cultures' And 'Spirituality'

Ethics

Ethics are moral principles that govern or influence behaviour and the choices we make as individuals and communities.

Cultures

Moral principles can be an expression of a wider fabric of values, beliefs and social understandings that make up cultures.

Spirituality

An aspect of the social understandings that make up cultures, is spirituality. Spirituality is a term commonly used to describe how people relate themselves to other generations, the natural and created environment, the universe, other's beliefs, and to their idea of an agent/agency of significance (eg God).

For many people, spirituality is formalised through particular religious and cultural traditions and practices.

Societies are made of people with different ethical, cultural and spiritual beliefs. Ethical principles also govern how these different views should be weighed in collective decision-making, including decisions about biotechnology. These principles include fairness to different views, a commitment to honest dialogue, and transparency and integrity.

For more information about bioethics, see Bioethics Resources & Links. To find information and join in the dialogue about bioethical decisions in New Zealand, see Dialogue & Decision-Making.