Bioethics is crucial today because it’s rooted in the harsh lessons of history, particularly the atrocities committed during World War II, like the Nazi human experiments. The Nuremberg Code was established as a response, emphasizing informed consent and respect for human dignity. Dr. Jonathan D. Moreno, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Absolutely Essential: Bioethics and the Rules-Based International Order (MIT Press, 2025), notes that bioethics emerged from “prudence in light of harsh experience,” highlighting how past mistakes shaped current principles ¹.
The field faces new challenges, though, like pandemics, AI in healthcare, and gene editing, which raise questions about fairness, autonomy, and justice. Moreno warns that without vigilance, we risk backsliding into past mistakes, especially with rising nationalism and erosion of global norms ¹.
In essence, bioethics matters because it helps navigate complex issues, ensuring progress doesn’t come at the cost of humanity. Read the full brief here.
