Biolaw Today. A Comment on “Principles of international biolaw" by Roberto Andorno

Literature Review , 2013 , 4 Pages

Law - Miscellaneous

In recent years, biolaw has received a lot of attention on the international as well as on the regional level and has arrived in both legal practice and academia - and its practical importance is growing. The practical importance of biolaw is widespread as the discipline not only relates to cutting edge biotechnology but also to fundamental questions with regard to human nature and identity as well as issues which ought to be of interest to everybody, such as universal access to health care.

While biolaw often touches related disciplines such as human rights, bioethics, medical and healthcare law, malpractice law, criminal law and welfare law, to name just a few, it also often has to deal with highly controversial issues such as the legality of abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia and the like. Currently, many have little or no access to even the most basic health care services while on the other hand patients in developed countries can benefit from medical procedures which just a few years ago belong to the realm of science-fiction.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Origins and development of biolaw
• Human dignity and human rights for biolaw
• The precautionary principle
• UNESCO’s Declaration on the Human Genome
• The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights
• The Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine
• Gene databases
• The right not to know
• Biomedical research
• Advance directives

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book explores key issues in international biolaw, particularly at the intersection of bioethics and human rights. The author aims to provide insights into the origins and development of the field, the role of fundamental principles, and the application of these principles in different contexts.

• International Biolaw: The book examines the principles and practices of international biolaw, highlighting the global dimensions of the field.
• Human Rights and Bioethics: The text explores the complex interplay between human rights and bioethics, emphasizing their roles in shaping biolaw.
• Global Governance: The book examines the role of international organizations like UNESCO and the Council of Europe in shaping global biolaw standards.
• Contemporary Bioethical Issues: The text explores a range of contemporary bioethical issues, including gene databases, the right not to know, and advance directives.
• Advance Directives: The book investigates the legal and ethical considerations surrounding advance directives, highlighting their potential to promote patient autonomy and dignity.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Origins and development of biolaw: This chapter outlines the historical development of biolaw, tracing its roots to ancient times and its evolution in the modern era.
• Chapter 2: Human dignity and human rights for biolaw: This chapter examines the fundamental principles of human dignity and human rights in the context of biolaw. It explores how these principles shape legal and ethical norms in the field.
• Chapter 3: The precautionary principle: This chapter delves into the precautionary principle, a key element of international biolaw. It discusses the application of this principle in addressing potential risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Chapter 4: UNESCO’s Declaration on the Human Genome: This chapter examines UNESCO’s Declaration on the Human Genome, a landmark document that promotes the ethical use of genetic information.
• Chapter 5: The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights: This chapter analyzes the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, a comprehensive framework for addressing ethical challenges in life sciences.
• Chapter 6: The Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine: This chapter explores the Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, a key treaty that sets standards for human rights in biomedicine.
• Chapter 7: Gene databases: This chapter focuses on the legal and ethical implications of gene databases, examining issues of privacy, confidentiality, and consent.
• Chapter 8: The right not to know: This chapter delves into the right not to know one’s own medical condition, exploring the tension between individual autonomy and the potential benefits of medical knowledge.
• Chapter 9: Biomedical research: This chapter examines the legal and ethical framework for biomedical research, highlighting the importance of informed consent and ethical oversight.
• Chapter 10: Advance directives: This chapter explores the legal and ethical considerations surrounding advance directives, examining their role in promoting patient autonomy and end-of-life decision-making.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This book focuses on key terms and concepts in the field of biolaw, such as human dignity, human rights, bioethics, international law, global governance, biomedical research, gene databases, advance directives, and the right not to know. These themes are explored in the context of contemporary ethical and legal challenges in the life sciences, highlighting the crucial intersection of law, ethics, and human rights in shaping the future of medicine and healthcare.

• Author: Stefan Kirchner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 4
• Catalog Number: V312481
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668114371
• ISBN (Book): 9783668114388
• Language: English
• Tags: Biolaw, bioethics, law, international law