Bioethics discusses what was once a taboo

Bioethics discusses what was once a taboo

Biodiversity, Bioethics and Environment, Bioethics and Health, Bioethics and Law, Humanization of Medicine are part of the discussion topics of the International University Congress on Bioethics, of which the University of Azuay (UDA) is the venue until today.

"All human activity, including medicine, is crossed by Bioethics ... and all medical activity is subject to Bioethics reflection, like all human activity", points out the Argentine geneticist Víctor Penchaszadeh, one of the speakers at the congress.

In Medicine we discuss abortion, euthanasia, rent of bellies, experimentation with embryos, but this Argentine doctor also adds poverty: because “not having access to health services or having medications worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep a person alive, ”deserves bioethical reflection.

Susana Vidal, her compatriot, specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean of UNESCO's Ethics for Science program, states that for our countries, with "a strong paternalistic tradition and unique moral codes, it is very important to understand that in the past 50 years there has been a substantial change with the fall of these unique codes. "

Today there is a plural, diverse society, with different moral views on human activities and the way it intervenes in human life and health and this has reached Medicine.

Differences arise from differences in the approach to health problems: the distribution of resources, the beginning of life, the end of life, surrogate motherhood. From here a variety of ethical positions are born and then Bioethics aims to open "plural and tolerant spaces for these debates are possible, in relation to issues that were previously forbidden to touch," says Vidal.

Abortion, induced fertilization, maternity surrogacy, dignified death are some of them, issues that were silent and today are on the street, with people and groups that think differently, with rights and, based on plural thought, encourages the discussion in order to "modify the laws, which recognize rights."

How far can genetic manipulation advance? It is one of the fields of discussion in Bioethics. Penchaszadeh remembers that genetics began investigating rare diseases that had no treatment, such as hemophilia, muscular dystrophy ... Genetics has had technological development that some see as worrying and others as a beacon of light to treat diseases. For example, the publication "Genetic Edition" tells that one gene can be changed by another, which raises concerns about how it will be used, who benefits and how ethical standards will be used in the process. " 

CONDUCT AND RISKS

Today, in all countries there are social movements that seek to change old or existing laws and include new rights in them, in order to have legislations respectful of conducts, fair and more just, in health services and other fields.

Culture and society change, society mobilizes, expresses its opinion. Bioethics proposes committee creations, such as that of Ecuador, advisers to the state's powers to legislate these issues, but the change in legislation is only one step, warns Argentine specialist Susana Vidal.

Public spaces, plural and multidisciplinary committees, are propitious to advise and guide the policies adopted by public authorities. But Bioethics is not unique and does not propose solutions, it is a method for reflecting on the behavior and risks of human activities, says Argentine geneticist Víctor Penchaszadeh.

The Bioethics Network of the United Nations Organization for Education and Culture, to which the two invited speakers belong, is an institution that promotes the discussion of these topics. (AVB) - (I)

MORE INFORMATION

- From the 08: Today's 45 there will be academic commitments and signing agreements on the congress discussion points. From the 10: 30, round table with representatives of the thematic axes of the meeting.

- Tomorrow, at the 10: 00 the UDA will take place its parade of promotions for celebrating the 50 anniversary of the foundation of the University. The concentration will be at the UDA Services House, Solano Avenue and Tadeo Torres.