Transhumanism-posthumanism is a current of thought that appears closely linked to the development of technoscience and its application to man. At the same time that this current must be subject to criticism, an anthropol...Transhumanism-posthumanism is a current of thought that appears closely linked to the development of technoscience and its application to man. At the same time that this current must be subject to criticism, an anthropological and ethical paradigm must be illuminated that allows accepting or not the new technoscientific advances, making a discernment between them. Such discernment should lead us to weigh the goodness of these advances, rejecting only those that represent a degradation of the human being, and accepting those that help man to be more fully man. To do this, the article proposes starting the discernment from an ethical principle such as respect for the integrity of man. Together with him, it is necessary to act with caution regarding human health, considered in relation to his psychosomatic unity. It will also be necessary to avoid deriving the ethics of the advances from the same technoscience. Finally, discernment requires, ultimately, starting from an idea about what man is, proposing the need to do so from a dual rather than dualistic conception of the human person. Based on all of the above, various ethical criteria are indicated in the work that complete the principle of respect for human integrity indicated above: respect and promote human life in all its dimensions, use of technology at the service of human beings in a controlled manner and that report social benefit or value by each technique, not only from a therapeutic perspective, but also from the improvement of the human psychosomatic unit. In conclusion, it is necessary to recognize in man the uniqueness of him as he is a bodily being who knows and loves in freedom, whose ends are not limited to material or sensible things, but which are only achievable in and from his own material condition. Consequently, any techno-scientific intervention that substantially alters his body condition is inhuman, not instead when it repairs or enhances -without abolishing them- his own qualities.
Gender post-feminism or ″gender ideology″ is a revolution against man that denies the existence of his human nature, and promotes a homogenized world with interchangeable roles without sexual distinction. As man has been...Gender post-feminism or ″gender ideology″ is a revolution against man that denies the existence of his human nature, and promotes a homogenized world with interchangeable roles without sexual distinction. As man has been transforming the world with technology and depending on it, he has been changing himself and we get to the point that, when faced with a machine and a human being, we opt for the machine because the human being seems imperfect to us. The transhumanist ideology as an overcoming of the human supposes the dehumanization of man. It is not that we only transform into other beings, but we could end up despising the human. Does a totally artificial world await us? The key question we have to ask ourselves is what perspective of man does transhumanism have? What are we to this ideology? Will it show the happiness of man?
In this article we approach to understand the presuppositions of the transhumanist current to recognize some of the fundamental and universal notes of human nature that are manifested through its proposals. From the appr...In this article we approach to understand the presuppositions of the transhumanist current to recognize some of the fundamental and universal notes of human nature that are manifested through its proposals. From the approaches of transhumanism, the human being can be recognized as a yearning being, a being who naturally desires. Moreover, it is recognized that this desire motivates the action of man and that the person is always on the way to perfection, motivated to overcome without limits what reality offers him to fulfill his desire for fulfillment. In addition, the main proposals for human improvement sustained from transhumanism are analyzed to understand which are the desires of the heart of man that are manifested through them. The recognition of these desires can be taken as a good starting point for the dialogue between transhumanism and other currents that recognize desire as a fundamental part of a human nature. We also judge whether transhumanism can be understood as an adequate response to satisfy the deepest desires of the human heart for happiness and fulfillment, concluding that transhumanist theses are insufficient when it comes to calming the fundamental concerns of human heart.
The human being experiences in the depths of his being a longing for fulfilment. However, pain, disease and death accompany their existence. Transhumanism tries to overcome the limits of man through all a technological s...The human being experiences in the depths of his being a longing for fulfilment. However, pain, disease and death accompany their existence. Transhumanism tries to overcome the limits of man through all a technological scientific development and ventures to predict the definitive triumph over death. In this study, we will analyse the meaning of vulnerability, limits, consciousness of finitude and death for both transhumanism and an anthropology focused on the human being. Transhumanism and this anthropology coincide in the desire to conquer death. The understanding of the concepts studied and the means to save humanity that are proposed differ in both approaches. We understand that in transhumanism there is a reductionism of the definition of person and therefore of the solution that is offered to respond to the deep longing inscribed each human being.
The purpose of this paper is to show the historical continuity of transhumanism over time, from the birth of Darwinist eugenics to the present day. The history of transhumanism is rooted in the ideas of Francis Galton, w...The purpose of this paper is to show the historical continuity of transhumanism over time, from the birth of Darwinist eugenics to the present day. The history of transhumanism is rooted in the ideas of Francis Galton, who were assumed by the one who defined the current term, Julian Huxley. The influence of Huxley's thinking on present transhumanist philosophy cannot be considered marginal, as his philosophy was continued by the founders of the first transhumanist movements in the United States of America, F.M. Esfandiary and Timothy Leary. Both thinkers were the masters of today's transhumanists. This is how we seek here to establish a historical line from eugenics to today's transhumanism.
In this article we start by submitting a definition of transhumanism and then turn to the main bioethical problems that arise from it, with particular attention to the so-called human enhancement perspective. Secondly, a...In this article we start by submitting a definition of transhumanism and then turn to the main bioethical problems that arise from it, with particular attention to the so-called human enhancement perspective. Secondly, and without being exhaustive, we shall seek to identify some of the main challenges posed by emerging sciences in the 21st century, specially with an eye to convergent technologies or NBICs (nanotechnology, biotechnology, informatics and cognitive sciences). And finally, we end up by enumerating some of the bioethical questions every researcher should take into account before considering applying any new technology on humans in the coming decades.
To date, healthcare ethics committees (HEC) have been the only ethics consultation model in the hospital setting in Spain, though their usefulness for ethical conflict resolution in daily practice has been questioned. In...To date, healthcare ethics committees (HEC) have been the only ethics consultation model in the hospital setting in Spain, though their usefulness for ethical conflict resolution in daily practice has been questioned. Individual clinical ethics consultation (CEC) is a complementary ethics consultation model, which has proved efficacious in real-time ethical problem-solving. Although CEC is widely used in North America, its implementation in Europe is still marginal. In this document we present the general characteristics of CEC services, comparing their potential advantages and risks to those of HECs. We will then share relevant European experiences in CEC, as well as review the few CEC initiatives in Spain. Finally, we will share our recent CEC implementation strategy in a national, medium-sized, teaching hospital. We will summarise the minimum requirements that such a CEC service must meet in order to carry out its consulting activity: organisational flexibility, well-trained professionals, with sufficient clinical experience, economical support, and organisational dependency on HECs.
One of the keys to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic is the development of the vaccine in order to immunize the population. In addition to the medical complications to obtain the vaccine, we highlight the presence of othe...One of the keys to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic is the development of the vaccine in order to immunize the population. In addition to the medical complications to obtain the vaccine, we highlight the presence of other problems, such as the dissemination of fake news that add difficulties to overcoming the global problem, especially due to its incidence in the field of anti-vaccine movements, which have developed, with special presence in Italy in recent years. For this, we warn of the need to be prepared to overcome the two pandemics that are developing in parallel, the one caused by the virus and the one generated by the fake news.
The patient's right to know his/her clinical information corresponds with the duty of the health care professional, especially the physician responsible for his/her care, to provide it. However, in the case of patients w...The patient's right to know his/her clinical information corresponds with the duty of the health care professional, especially the physician responsible for his/her care, to provide it. However, in the case of patients whose life prognosis is limited, this presents several difficulties. Determining the content of this right is complicated because it depends on the circumstances. This favors the conspiracy of silence, the main cause of which can be found in the maintenance of the patient's hope. However, condemning the patient to a false hope prevents him/her from developing a grieving process, that requires renouncing that hope and embracing another undetermined hope of open content. In this work we try to outline the structure of this dialectical process, which can be explained, in narrative terms, through the structure of the heroic myth, which is functional even when the energetic structure of the moral character is missing and which is adjustable for each person.
Escudero-Acha P, Leizaola O, Lázaro N
… +21 more, Flordelís Lasierra JL, Cossío AM, Ballesteros D, Abdellatif IB, Estébanez Montiel MB, Palomo M, Del Campo MM, Freita S, Torrejón Pérez I, Mas Bilbao N, Vidal B, Zubía F, Díaz-Domínguez F, Padilla Serrano A, Blasco ML, Domezain M, Pavía-Pesquera MC, Barceló Castelló M, Pobo Á, Gómez-Acebo I, González-Castro A
From a post hoc analysis of the ADENI-UCI study (multicenter, observational, cohort, prospective study, with a follow-up period of 13 months, in 62 Intensive Medicine Services in Spain. geographical differences in the re...From a post hoc analysis of the ADENI-UCI study (multicenter, observational, cohort, prospective study, with a follow-up period of 13 months, in 62 Intensive Medicine Services in Spain. geographical differences in the reason for denial of income in UCI as a LTSV measure are analyzed. A total of 2284 with an average age of 75.25 (12.45) years were included. 59.43% male. By means of multinominal regression adjusted by age, sex, APACHE and SOFA, was evident (by choosing the northern for reference) that age in the south was a less significantly exposed reason (OR: 0.48 (IC95%: 0.35-0.65). p.
In some countries, particularly Spain, one of the arguments used to justify the legalization of euthanasia is that there is a strong social demand for it. To try to ascertain the truth of this statement, we review differ...In some countries, particularly Spain, one of the arguments used to justify the legalization of euthanasia is that there is a strong social demand for it. To try to ascertain the truth of this statement, we review different surveys of physicians and the general public, to determine their opinion on whether or not to legalize this practice. We found that the percentage of respondents who approve this practice varies widely from one country to another, with some countries in which approval is close to 80% and others in which it fails to reach even 40%. It has been suggested that this may be because the questions included in the various surveys differ greatly, since not all use the word ″euthanasia″ directly, replacing it with words or phrases of similar meaning. Thus, some respondents may not quite identify them with euthanasia. We conclude that, in the vast majority of countries, there does not seem to be an objective social demand to justify the legalization of euthanasia.
Based on the elements that constitute the bases of Western Medicine and a distinction made by Pedro Laín Entralgo from Homeric work, two possible approaches to medical practice are reflected, which could be characterized...Based on the elements that constitute the bases of Western Medicine and a distinction made by Pedro Laín Entralgo from Homeric work, two possible approaches to medical practice are reflected, which could be characterized as ″palliative″ medicine and ″medicine without palliative″. The relationships that these two approaches may have with Philosophy, Ethics and Bioethics are mentioned; the main characteristics and some of the dangers of each one. It shows how the presence, in clinical practice, of palliative care in itself leaves several lessons on the two approaches. It concludes by showing the importance of person-centered medical education with humanistic components. Some ideas are given so that the curricular contents lead to the training of doctors capable of acting with humanism and professionalism, being agents of a cultural change in favor of life.
The interaction between doctors and pharmaceutical companies has been and is common, occurs in multiple ways and has proven, in many cases, to be necessary for the development of medicine. However, some of the sales tech...The interaction between doctors and pharmaceutical companies has been and is common, occurs in multiple ways and has proven, in many cases, to be necessary for the development of medicine. However, some of the sales techniques of the pharmaceutical industry are not ethically acceptable and can compromise the independence of physicians. An ethical dilemma arises from a real case in which the search for vulnerability in prescription based on a donation by a pharmaceutical company was not easy to identify.
Epigenetics deals with the study of structural modifications in the regions of the genome, by methylation of DNA or chromosomal histones, or other mechanisms that affect the expression of genes without altering the base...Epigenetics deals with the study of structural modifications in the regions of the genome, by methylation of DNA or chromosomal histones, or other mechanisms that affect the expression of genes without altering the base composition of DNA. Cell differentiation, which is established in embryonic development from blastocyst status, is the consequence of differential cell reprogramming, based on programmed epigenetic modifications, which establish differences in the epigenome of cells and tissues. Maternal and paternal genomes of the gametes have genomic imprinting differences due to DNA methylation or other epigenetic modifications established in the germinal cells during gametogenesis. Maternal and paternal parental genomes present differences of genomic imprinting, which are established by DNA methylation or other epigenetic modifications during embryonic development, in the primordial germ cells. Unscheduled epigenetic modifications may also occur under the influence of uncontrolled environmental factors, which can lead to health disturbances. However, all epigenetic modifications are erased after fertilization and those affecting the germ line of the embryo or fetus during their development are not inherited beyond the second generation, - F2 -. Epigenetics should not be considered a new type of inheritance with transgenerational consequences, but as a set of mechanisms related to genetic regulation.
Transgenesis is a parcel of biotechnology that allows the introduction of genetic information not proper to the genome of living beings, apart from the mechanisms of natural genetic exchange. This made possible to addres...Transgenesis is a parcel of biotechnology that allows the introduction of genetic information not proper to the genome of living beings, apart from the mechanisms of natural genetic exchange. This made possible to address important applications in bacteria, animals and plants with significant benefits in health, food and environmental aspects. Since its origin, the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) caused some controversy due to the possible negative influence of these organisms or their derived products on health and the environment. Over time, genetic modification techniques have renewed, giving way to others of greater precision, simplicity and safety. Currently the CRISPR-Cas9 technique is widely used, which allows to edit, modify or eliminate specific DNA sequences, with multiple applications in the same fields of transgenesis, but adding greater simplicity, security and lower cost. This work presents the main techniques, applications and ethical implications of using these methods and their perspectives in an ever-evolving world. The bacteria for obtaining products of pharmacological interest, new varieties of cultivated plants of higher production, more resistance to growth limiting agents and better nutritional quality and domestic animals modified genetically, offer a set of advantages needed to address the global challenges that affect the lives of many people around the world.
The main aim of this paper is to define an answer, in a key time before COVID19, if it is indeed possible to do so, as to the difference between pain and suffering. In order to do so, we will refer to, although not exclu...The main aim of this paper is to define an answer, in a key time before COVID19, if it is indeed possible to do so, as to the difference between pain and suffering. In order to do so, we will refer to, although not exclusively, the reflexions of the German philosopher Robert Spaemann. To finish, the question of death will briefly be analysed.
The identification, priorization and anticipation of the ethics conflicts, allow the Healthcare Ethics Committees (HEC) a better approach to them, as well as the adoption of measures to prevent its appearance and/or its...The identification, priorization and anticipation of the ethics conflicts, allow the Healthcare Ethics Committees (HEC) a better approach to them, as well as the adoption of measures to prevent its appearance and/or its mitigation. For this purpose, we set ourselves the objective of knowing what they are in the present, how important they are, and what would be the future scenario to face. An qualitative structure research was made whit two focal groups whit the participation of nurses, nurse auxiliary and doctors from the hospitalization area, they also answer a future ethics conflicts Decalogue. The results were tested after by their importance level (Relevance-Frequency-Consistency). The medium age of the participants was 34,7 +- 15,4, whit a medium experience at work of 11,7 +- 15,4 years. A total of 40 ethics conflicts was identify grouped in 5 risk areas: professional, assistance, social, organizational and legal. From there 21 results the more important, between them we find patient abandonment, inexistence of internal performance protocols, patient and relatives false expectations waiting for non-assistance care, unnecessary care at the end of the life, lack of rules for family / caregivers, and ignorance of legality. The more important ethical dilemmas for the future identified by the personal will be patients in abandonment, the lack of sociohealth resources, conflicts with family / caregivers situation and lack of information for decision making at the end of the life. The ethical conflicts between the personal from a chronic patients hospital and the relatives/caregivers was identifying, the most important were prioritized, and futures were anticipated. In these scenarios, we highlight abandonment as the most important. A map of ethics conflicts is a good tool to identify risk areas for ethics conflicts, we see the difference between the ethics conflicts found in other kind of hospitals. The map of ethics conflicts need to be update periodically to keep the validity.
Pons Valls F, Marcos González E, Vera-Remartínez E
… +4 more, Bernat Adell MD, García-Guerrero J, Comité de Bioética Asistencial del Departamento de Salud de Castellón, Comité de Bioética Asistencial del Departamento de Salud de Castellón
To show hospital health professionals' knowledge on ABC. Observational, descriptive, transversal and analytical research using questionnaires designed ad hoc. Comparative statistical analysis applying Ji-square by Pearso...To show hospital health professionals' knowledge on ABC. Observational, descriptive, transversal and analytical research using questionnaires designed ad hoc. Comparative statistical analysis applying Ji-square by Pearson and Fisher tests. Binary logistic regression model to determine the odd ratios (O.R) having education level and sex as independent variables. A 4% accuracy was accepted, as well as a confidence Interval of 95% and a p value inferior to 0.05. The data was processed by IBM SPSS Statistics v.20 software. Required sample of 351 professionals (108 doctors and other related graduate; 144 nurses and 99 clinical assistants (TCAE)). 276 participants (78,6%; IC95%: 74,0-82,2); of which 84 doctors (77,8%; IC95%: 68,8-85,2); 120 nurses (83,3%; IC95%: 76,2-89,0) y 71 TCAE (71,7%; IC95%: 61,7-80,3), predominantly women (194, 70,3%). 228 (82,6%) were aware of the existence of ABC. Both doctors and nurses had more knowledge of ABC than clinical assistants (p 0,0001 for both), however there was not significative difference between doctors and nurses (p=0,836; OR:0,901; IC95%: 0,334-2,228). 124 (45,1%) knew the functions of ABC, with doctors displaying more knownledge than both nurses and clinical assistants (p=0,002 and p 0,0001 respectively) and nurses showing more familiarity than clinical assistants (p=0,008). 129(47,6%) communicated ethical conflicts, showing no significative difference between doctors and nurses (p=0,119). However, clinical assistants displayed different behabiour than the other two groups in this regard (p 0,0001 and p=0,001 respectively). Of all, 47 (22,4%) communicated they had ethical conflicts regarding the beginning and end of life. The knowledge on the existence of the ABC is high, however there is poor knowledge around its functions. Among health professionals, doctors and nurses know him better than TCAE. Matters related with the beginning and end of life cause most of ethical conflicts.