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Disability Rights Approach Toward Bioethics?

University of Calgary, gwolbrin{at}ucalgary.ca

Bioethics theories are supposed to develop ethical principles, which allow for the governance of science, technology, and biomedical research. This article presents evidence for the lack of a disability rights approach, or even an acceptance of one, in the development of bioethics theories. The author also describes the debate on bioethics issues as they relate to disabilities, using as an example the debate over sex selection and disability "deselection." Characteristics labeled as disabilities, a term that often is used as a synonym for defects, diseases, and subnormal abilities, are seen as "medical problems" in need of medical solutions. An "animal farm" philosophy appears to dominate the debate over bioethics issues and the development of bioethics theories as they pertain to disabilities. In this philosophy, characteristics labeled as medical problems are treated differently from characteristics labeled as societal problems, making the acceptance of a disability rights approach impossible because such an approach perceives disability within a social justice framework rather than a medical one.

Journal of Disability Policy Studies, Vol. 14, No. 3, 174-180 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/10442073030140030701


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