Bioethics is the study of ethical issues that emerge from advances in biology and medicine, giving insight into moral questions about medical policy and practice.

 

It is especially relevant for South Africans in the context of human rights. This is why the NWU’s honours and second-year theology students have to complete compulsory modules on bioethics as part of their courses.

 

“We believe bioethics equips students to understand right and wrong within a medical and research environment.”“This further helps them to realise their social responsibility and their duty to the environment within a democracy,” says Prof Riaan Rheeder, senior lecturer in the School of Ecclesiastical Studies.

 

The shift from medical ethics to bioethics

 

He explains that until the 1970s there was a strong focus on medical ethics in the relationship between doctors and patients. “Doctors used to make all the decisions about improving patients’ health. This changed later in the 1970s when the focus shifted from medical ethics to bioethics.”

 

It meant that health choices no longer rested solely on doctors but became the patient’s own responsibility.“Cancer for instance was initially considered to be purely a biological issue, but now we realise that social and environmental factors also play important roles when it comes to the treatment and human rights of patients.

 

"All of these factors have to be taken into account when making treatment choices.”

 

Riaan says bioethics also encompasses medical ethics. Other burning issues that are part of the study of bioethics include abortion, death with dignity, genetic manipulation and the right to health care.

 

UNESCO’s declaration

 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) drew up a declaration on bioethics and human rights (UDBHR) which was accepted in 2005.

 

Member countries, including South Africa, signed the UDBHR. This entails reflecting on societal changes and global balances brought about by scientific and technological developments.

 

The NWU is one of the academic centres around the world where units were created to promote the UDBHR.Riaan says they do this by promoting human rights as part of the curriculum and discussing the importance and implications of the declaration with students from a Christian perspective.

 

“Our unit is part of UNESCO’s network of various schools and projects. The head of the UNESCO centre communicates with academic centres through an international organising committee which consists of chairs from around the world. Our unit reports to the African Chair who operates within the continent. We work together with them to raise awareness about bioethics and human rights.”

 

Riaan hopes that more students will choose to study bioethics on postgraduate level as it fulfils an important role in society.