Technology and Humanity
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A current issue and debate in society has been the extent to which ethical principles can be applied to Scientific methods of advancement. The challenge that exists for researchers of both science and ethics is to apply universal ethical principles to biomedical research. This task is definitely a difficult one as society today is so multicultural, and no one person can be expected to have the same opinion regarding every medical or scientific process that challenges the ethical approach to life.
Through the articles studied, three very different ethical and scientific methods were brought to light in order to challenge how technology should be used with humanity including: Organ donation and transplantation, Cloning and Euthanasia. The two major philosophical views that are in conflict overall with regards to all three topics is The Scientific Method versus the Ethical approach to life.
The philosophical position known as Ethical Relativism relates directly to the issues studied. In the case of Organ transplantation we are asked to determine whether or not it is right to change the length or standard of living of our lives, and if we are, who should have the right to these procedures. We must ask ourselves to what extremes we can allow certain acts to be considered moral? Is it morally correct to grow an embryo in a test tube for the purpose of brining a young couple a child, or to use parts of its body to assist a newborn in need of care? With Euthanasia; do we have the right to end our lives or the lives of others because we feel our lives are not worth living any longer?..