Current trends in biomedical ethics in the United States

Enormous growth of medical activities and issues in the 1960s and 1970s stimulated birth of the field of contemporary biomedical ethics. Nevertheless, when one examines recent trends within the field in the United States, one is struck with how many significant transformations and developments have occurred since that time. This presentation examines recent developments in five areas--those of patient rights and autonomy, termination of life, manipulation of Nature, health care resource allocation, and decision-making by the general public. The author also notes that although bioethical issues have become politicized as major interest groups and the general public have become increasingly involved, the quest for consensus remains a central one for health care ethics in the United States.