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The quest for universality: reflections on the Universal Draft Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.
Mary C Rawlinson1, Anne Donchin
1Department of Philosophy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA, mrawlinson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.
Developing World Bioethics
|September 1, 2005
Summary
UNESCO
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Global Health Policy
- Human Rights Law
Background:
- UNESCO's efforts to establish universal bioethical norms are challenged by its approach to universality.
- The draft document overlooks significant structural inequalities impacting global health outcomes.
- Feminist bioethics scholarship and UN documents offer alternative frameworks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critique UNESCO's assumptions regarding universality in bioethical norm development.
- To advocate for incorporating cultural differences in ethical values for universal principles.
- To highlight the need to address structural inequalities in bioethics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of UNESCO's draft bioethical norms document.
- Review of relevant UN system documents.
- Integration of recent feminist bioethics scholarship.
Main Results:
- The conception of universality in the UNESCO document is too narrow.
- Disregard for structural inequalities weakens the proposed bioethical norms.
- A more inclusive approach requires acknowledging diverse ethical values and power disparities.
Conclusions:
- Universal bioethical principles must account for cultural differences in values.
- Addressing structural inequities is crucial for realizing health as a fundamental right.
- UNESCO should adopt a more nuanced and inclusive approach to global bioethics.