Bioethics Reenvisioned: A Path toward Health Justice

Bioethics must embrace a broader and more meaningful view of justice to address health disparities and structural injustice caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. This book argues for a more social understanding and application of justice, humility in assessing expertise, a broader research agenda, and greater appreciation of the health implications of global warming.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Bioethics requires a broader moral vision to address the complex challenges of our time. Emerging in the 1970s, the field responded to rapid advancements in biomedical technology and the glaring injustices in clinical care and research. Since then, bioethics has primarily focused on respecting autonomy, promoting beneficence, and avoiding harm, often applying these principles within the confines of medical institutions. However, it is high time for bioethics to expand its horizons and address the pressing issues of health disparities and structural injustice exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change.

This book makes a compelling case for why and how bioethics must embrace a broader and more meaningful view of justice. By incorporating the tools and insights of social sciences, epidemiology, and public health, bioethics can gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants that shape health outcomes and the ethical implications of global warming.

Contributors to this book, including Nancy M. P. King, Gail E. Henderson, and Larry R. Churchill, argue for a more social understanding and application of justice. They advocate for a humility in assessing expertise in bioethics consulting, a broader and more relevant research agenda, and a greater appreciation of the profound health implications of climate change.

In conclusion, bioethics must evolve to address the complex challenges of our time. By embracing a broader and more meaningful view of justice, incorporating the insights of social sciences, epidemiology, and public health, and fostering a deeper humility in assessing expertise, bioethics can contribute to a more equitable and just society. The time for action is now, as the health and well-being of individuals and communities are at stake.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469671581