Biomedical Ethics

摘要

What exactly is biomedical ethics, and when did it originate? The phrase "biomedical ethics" (often shortened to "bioethics ") itself apparently originated in the industrialized world, most likely the United States, during the 1960s. Biomedical ethics initially referred to the branch of practical philosophy that emerged alongside and in response to unprecedented new biomedical technologies that posed complex and confounding decisions for researchers, patients, clinical physicians, and others involved. These technologies included hemodialysis and organ transplantation, both now accepted features of medical technology used routinely in many parts of the world. In this WebWatch, we offer two portal websites. They come from opposite sides of the world, and yet they complement and overlap with each other nicely. Together they can take you right into the current breadth and depth of the field. We trust that you, our readers, will make ethical use of everything you discover with their help.