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Christian Bioethics Advance Access originally published online on March 23, 2009
Christian Bioethics 2009 15(1):17-30; doi:10.1093/cb/cbp003
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of The Journal of Christian Bioethics, Inc. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

This article appears in the following Christian Bioethics issue: European Bioethics II-Disparate Hopes and Fears [View the issue table of contents]

Christian Bioethics in Europe: In Defense against Reductionist Influences from the United States

Paul T. Schotsmans

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Address correspondence to: Paul T. Schotsmans, Professor of Medical Ethics, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculteit Geneeskunde, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3-bus 7001, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: Paul.Schotsmans{at}med.kuleuven.be


  Abstract

Christian ideas have continued to inspire European bioethics until now. The central thesis of this essay is that the open-mindedness of Roman Catholic and other Christian denominations in Europe is crucial for understanding why Christian ethics is so well integrated in the European culture. The essay describes first the institutional frameworks in which these Christian mainly Roman Catholic ideas are developed. It analyzes further the difference between the secular Anglo-American and European bioethics as it has been influenced by these Christian ideas. It finally summarizes the challenges to which Europe's Christian bioethical identity is presently exposed to. The essay states that the Christian inspiration of European bioethics is mainly connected with the ideologically moderate, tolerant, and dialogical participation of Christian bioethicists in the bioethical debate in Europe.

Keywords: Christianity, human dignity, personhood, Roman Catholicism, solidarity


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