In Focus
In Focus are summaries of the scientific and ethical aspects of the most current issues in bioethics. The brief information of the text is supplemented by more detailed explanations of key concepts on a second hypertext level. Those who want further information will also find notes on relevant documents and literature as well as a short list of links. You can also carry out searches in BELIT (more literature).
Imaging in Neuroscience
This approach briefly covers the most important topics and ethical questions on the subject of imaging in neuroscience. In addition to the technical and medical applications, the focus is particularly on the ethical aspects of neuroimaging and, for example, incidental findings, early diagnostic detection as well as the limitations and benefits of imaging procedures, which will be discussed.
Further ethical problem areas are implications with regard to technology and personal rights, which are also discussed in this article. [more]
Biodiversity
Biological diversity (biodiversity) denotes three levels of diversity: diversity of species, of genetic information contained in living beings, and of ecosystems or habitats. The investigation of biodiversity comprises both quantitative as well as qualitative parameters. A worldwide threat to biodiversity is apparent (e.g. through the destruction of ecosystems or the extinction of species). In this light, it is controversial how human behaviour toward non-human nature can be justified and which value can be ascribed to nature. The moral debate around biodiversity mainly regards nature’s potential right to protection from human beings. [more]
Bioeconomy
The bioeconomy is expected to be a resource- efficient, regenerative and low-emission economy. While a transformation of industrial processes is linked to numerous opportunities that can be achieved, for example, by exploiting all components of the biomass being used, the bioeconomy is also associated with major ecological and social challenges, e.g. due to its increased land consumption and potential competition with food production. A comprehensive economization of the environment also gives cause to fundamentally question the underlying relationship between humans and nature. [more]
Dementia
Dementia is a clinical term used to describe a decline in the memory, thinking and verbal abilities of those affected, which in the vast majority of cases is an irreversible process. As dementia progresses, there are significant losses of cognitive abilities and often personality changes. This raises ethical challenges in dealing with dementia patients. Obstacles and uncertainties are encountered in particular when applying established ethical principles. [more]
Enhancement
In the broadest sense, "enhancement" refers to various means and methods for the improvement of different human characteristics. In a narrower sense, however, "enhancement" refers only to those improvements of human characteristics that cannot be understood as contributing to the restoration or maintenance of physical or mental health. Accordingly, enhancement measures therefore serve neither therapeutic nor preventive purposes and thus fall outside the genuine scope of medicine. In a bioethical context, the debate on enhancement focuses on how enhancement measures are to be evaluated morally and legally. [more]
Healthcare Data in Research
In the course of medical treatments such as check-ups, patient data is collected and stored in files and other formats. Until now, this data has not been used for medical research, or only to a very limited extent. However, data on the diagnosis and treatment of patients holds great potential for biomedical findings and thus also for improving patient care. Yet, in addition to technical and organizational requirements, research on treatment data requires an ethical and legal framework that protects the autonomy of patients in particular. [more]
Research with Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Human embryonic cells (ES cells) are stem cells that are gained by destroying an embryo in early embryonic stadia and are used for clinical as well as basic research. Research in this area is focussed on understanding how to cultivate, differentiate, gain, and use ES cells for aims, e.g. treatments. The central question is: Is this method ethically acceptable as a means to achieve such aims? I.e.: Are the moral rights of the embryo being violated by it and, if so, to which extent? In Germany, the conduct of this type of research is only permitted with imported ES cells. [more]
Research Cloning
Research cloning is commonly understood as a set of various techniques which are applied to create genetically identical embryos solely for research. The embryo is hereby destroyed to gain embryonic stem cells that are used to develop treatments, for example. The central question is: Is the application of these techniques ethically acceptable as a means to achieve such aims? I.e.: Are the moral rights of the embryo being violated by these techniques and, if so, to which extent? In Germany, research cloning is forbidden. [more]
Genome Editing in Human Medicine
The term genome editing is used to describe modern molecular biological methods that allow for targeted changes to be made to the genome of an organism. The rapid, simple, and inexpensive production of the “gene scissors” quickly led to their use beyond basic research in various application contexts. This „In Focus“ investigates the editing of the genome of human cells. Although genome editing research on human cells often seeks to fulfil high-level therapeutic goals, it is accompanied by several central ethical issues. [more]
Genetically Modified Foods
The application of genetic engineering represents an attempt to improve the efficiency of the agricultural and biotechnological production, quality, and quantity of certain nutrients, foods, and additives. Discussing a reasonable analysis of aims and means, on the one hand, and risk and use, on the other, is not all that is being done from an ethical perspective; the cultural and anthropological meaning of foods for human beings and how these, i.e. human beings, interfere with the natural environment through genetic modification, are also part of the debate. From a legal standpoint there are clear national and international laws regulating the authorization, labelling and patenting of genetically modified foods. [more]
Medical Research Involving Minors
Since 1950, medical research has developed several therapeutic, diagnostic and preventive procedures. This progress has also influenced paediatrics. Nonetheless, new development is significantly less prevalent in paediatrics than in other medical areas. [more]
Organ Transplantation
In medicine, organs, body parts, tissue and cells are transplanted for therapeutic purposes. For a long time now, there has been a significant disparity between the number of human beings waiting for an organ on waitlists, and the amount of available organs. This situation, that inter alia also reinforces interest in organ trafficking abroad, begs a critical examination of the regulative framework of organ donation. [more]
Advance Decisions
An advance decision is commonly understood as a person’s will, formulated while still capable of making decisions, for the time in which they are no longer able to consent to nor refuse medical treatments. Advance decisions may include the rejection or limitation as well as the preference of a specific medical treatment. [more]
Predictive Genetic Testing
Predictive genetic testing provides a significant contribution to the early detection of treatable diseases. At the same time, ethical, legal and social problems are associated to its application. Since 2009, the application of predictive genetic testing in Germany is regulated by the Gendiagnostikgesetz (Genetic Diagnosis Law). From an ethical perspective, it is important to discuss how to deal with the right to informational self-determination, the right to genetic ignorance, and the right to know of the involved individuals. [more]
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) makes it possible to select an embryo based on specific genetic properties before its implantation in a uterus. The potential claim of protection of the embryo is thus ethically controversial. Based on the prevailing view in jurisdiction, the German Embyonenschutzgesetz (Embryo Protection Law) forbids PGD. In other European countries, however, not only illness-specific PGD is allowed, but also a selection based on other characteristics. [more]
Somatic Gene Therapy
The term „gene therapy” refers to therapeutic procedures which insert foreign genes into human somatic cells or human tissue. The development of procedures based on gene therapy opens up new medical avenues for treatment of serious diseases. However, to this day these approaches are still experimental and not yet established forms of therapy mostly performed in the context of fundamental preclinical and clinical research. It is therefore necessary to clarify which criteria should be applied in the evaluation of gene therapy within the ethical, legal and scientific debates. [more]
Euthanasia
Several institutions and committees have voiced their position on the controversy around euthanasia in Germany. Categories of euthanasia are passive euthanasia, indirect (active) euthanasia, direct (active) euthanasia and assisted suicide. The boundary between ethically acceptable euthanasia and that which falls under the prohibition of killing shall be delimited with help of these categories. Given the lack of a specific legislation – as is the case of other European states, some of which allow active euthanasia – the legal regulation of euthanasia in Germany is ruled by the Strafgesetzbuch (German Criminal Code). [more]
Animal Experiments in Research
Animal experiments are used, inter alia, for physiologic process research, product and treatment development, and assessment of product security. The German Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act) states that the planned animal experiment must be indispensable to the achievement of the overall aim of the experiment. Furthermore, the strain put on the animals must be ethically acceptable when weighed against the high-ranking aim of the experiment. Thus, it must be evaluated, if and to which extent human profit can justify animal suffering and death. This depends significantly on the moral status attributed to animals in relation to that of human beings. [more]