Western or Eastern principles in globalized bioethics? An Asian perspective view

The principles advocated by Georgetown scholars have become the teachings of medical ethics in recent years. These principles provide good guides in clinical decision-making. But they can turn into a set of regulations that require only external observation. Confucian scholars believe that any principle without compassion as a base cannot endure. The eastern teachings regard internal virtues as the foundation of morality that spontaneously motivate a person to act in an ethical way. Without having this inner drive, any regulations, principles or law are but superficial. Eastern society also regards family as a basic unity therefore, familial autonomy is more important than individual autonomy. How do we bridge this gap between eastern and western ethics when contemplating a global bioethics? This article will argue that a global ethics must not neglect the importance of virtues.