Religious bioethics explores the ethical implications of medical technologies and interventions within the framework of religious beliefs and values, influencing healthcare decision making by providing religious perspectives on issues such as abortion, end-of-life care, and assisted reproductive technologies.
Theological Foundations of Bioethics: The historical and doctrinal roots of religious bioethics and how these foundations shape modern-day religious perspectives on medical ethics.
The Sanctity of Life: The religious concept of the sanctity of life and its implications for healthcare decision-making, including controversial issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.
Autonomy and Paternalism: The conflict between respect for individual autonomy and the religious commitment to paternalism and communal values in healthcare decision-making.
End-of-Life Care: The religious perspectives on end-of-life care, including the use of life-sustaining technology, palliative care, and the ethical concerns surrounding euthanasia.
Ethical Issues in Reproductive Technologies: Issues surrounding reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and genetic screening, and the religious perspectives on their ethical implications.
Organ Donation and Transplantation: Religious perspectives on organ donation and transplantation, including the ethical considerations surrounding donation, allocation, and transplantation.
Global Health and Social Justice: The religious commitment to social justice and its impact on healthcare decision-making, including issues like global health disparities, access to healthcare, and resource allocation.
Disability and Care: The religious perspectives on disability and care, including issues such as the value of human life and the role of caregivers in providing medical treatment.
Mental Health and Illness: The religious perspectives on mental health and illness, including the role of faith in coping with mental illness, and the ethical issues surrounding the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Emerging Technologies and Healthcare: The ethical implications of emerging technologies and their impact on healthcare, including artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and gene editing, among others.
Catholic bioethics: Based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, emphasizes the value of human life and dignity, the protection of the vulnerable, and the role of natural law in determining what is morally right or wrong. Has a significant impact on healthcare decision-making, particularly on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and assisted reproductive technologies.
Jewish bioethics: Based on Jewish law and ethics, emphasizes the sanctity of life, the importance of healing, and the need to preserve human dignity. Has had a significant impact in areas such as organ donation, end-of-life care, and genetic testing.
Islamic bioethics: Based on the principles of Islamic law and ethics, emphasizes the importance of preserving human life, promoting well-being and avoiding harm. Has a significant impact on decisions related to issues such as end-of-life care, organ donation, and medical research.
Buddhist bioethics: Based on the teachings of Buddha, emphasize the importance of compassion, non-harm, and reducing suffering. Has had an impact on issues such as end-of-life care, organ donation, and assisted suicide.
Hindu bioethics: Based on the principles of Hinduism, emphasizes the sanctity of life, the importance of karma (actions and consequences), and the need to promote individual and social well-being. Has a significant impact on healthcare decision-making, particularly on issues related to end-of-life care and organ donation.
Protestant bioethics: The Protestant tradition has various perspectives on bioethical issues, but many agree on the sanctity of human life, the promotion of human dignity, and the need to alleviate suffering. Has had significant impact on issues related to abortion, euthanasia, and end-of-life care.
Indigenous bioethics: Based on the cultural and spiritual traditions of various indigenous communities, emphasizes the importance of respecting nature, maintaining harmony, and protecting the well-being of individuals and communities. Has had a significant impact on issues related to traditional healing practices, cultural considerations in healthcare decision-making, and addressing health disparities in indigenous populations.