Synopses & Reviews
This book is for bioethicists, ethicists (theologians/philosophers), professionals in biotechnology, EU and national policymakers, and professors/teachers of courses in applied ethics. It presents an interdisciplinary reflection on the nature and scope of current biotechnology in Europe. It offers a concise presentation of the current biotechnological arena in Europe with its ethical implications and provides a survey of topical Council of Europe documents and treaties.
Review
"For now the best concise presentation of the European bioethics and biotechnology arena." (Erwin Bischofberger, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm) "Most stimulating reflections on European policies." (Göran Collste, Linköping University, Sweden)
Synopsis
Modern Biotechnology in Postmodern Times? A Reflection on European Policies and Human Agency is for bioethicists, ethicists (theologians/philosophers), professionals in biotechnology, EU and national policy makers, and professors/teachers of courses in applied ethics (master level or equivalent).
This volume presents an interdisciplinary reflection on the nature and scope of current biotechnology in Europe. The author contemplates upon the actual structures and potential functions of biotechnology in our societies in order to allow for a balanced discussion and common reflection on the topic. This volume is unique in that it offers a concise presentation of the current biotechnological arena in Europe with its ethical implications. It provides a survey of topical Council of Europe documents and treaties.
Table of Contents
Preface. Acknowledgements. 1: Biotechnology In Modern Times. 1. The concept of modernity. 2. The concept of biotechnology. 2.1. Definitions. 2.2. Applications. 2: Council Of Europe Policies On Biotechnology. 1. The Parliamentary Assembly. 1.1. The beginnings. 1.2. Developments of doubt and difficulty. 1.3. A new convention as a solution. 1.4. Recent initiatives. 1.5. Results. 2. The Committee of Ministers. 2.1. Systematic beginnings. 2.2. The struggle for standards. 2.3. Results. 3. Council of Europe Conventions. 3.1. The European Convention on Human Rights. 3.2. The European Social Charter. 3.3. The European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. 3.4. The Protocol on Human Cloning. 3.5. The Protocol on Transplantation. 4. Conclusion. 3: Biotechnology And Human Agency. 1. The human act. 2. Technique and technology. 3. Modern concepts of agency and identity. 4. Is 'biotechnology' merely a name. 4: Biotechnology Beyond Modernity. 1. A postmodern sketch of the human self. 2. Technology as bluff. 2.1. Human mastery. 2.2. The ambivalence of new techniques. 2.3. The dominating role of technology. 2.4. Conclusion. 3. The politics of contemporary biotechnology. Appendix. European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine ETS 164 (Full text) with list of declarations. Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine on the Prohibition of Cloning Human Beings ETS 168 (Full text) with list of declarations. Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine on Transplantation of Organs and Tissues of Human Origin. ETS 186. (Full text). References. Index.