Respect: or, how respect for persons became respect for autonomy

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• History of Medicine
• Philosophy of Ethics

Background:

• The term "respect" has been a cornerstone in bioethical discourse.
• Historical usage of "respect" primarily encompassed "respect for persons," protecting both autonomous individuals and those with diminished autonomy.
• A significant conceptual shift in the meaning and application of "respect" is evident in bioethical literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an intellectual archeology of the term "respect" within bioethics.
• To analyze the functional evolution of "respect" in bioethical discourse over time.
• To identify and examine the turning point in the usage of "respect" occurring in 1979.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of key bioethical texts and reports.
• Examination of the first edition of "Principles of Biomedical Ethics" (1979) by Beauchamp and Childress.
• Review of the Ethical Advisory Board (EAB) report on In Vitro Fertilization (1979).

Main Results:

• Prior to 1979, "respect" primarily meant "respect for persons," offering broad protection.
• Post-1979, the concept shifted to "respect for autonomy," as exemplified by Beauchamp and Childress's work.
• This shift resulted in individuals with compromised autonomy receiving protection under beneficence rather than the more encompassing "respect."

Conclusions:

• The 1979 publication marked a pivotal change in bioethical terminology, moving from "respect for persons" to "respect for autonomy."
• The redefinition of "respect" has implications for the ethical protection of vulnerable populations.
• The term "respect" increasingly functions as a rhetorical tool in public bioethics discussions.