This book is an updated approach to a discipline of special importance in our changing world. It allows a full knowledge from the epistemological and historical basis that allows understanding the discipline from the beginning. The chapters devoted to the analysis of how bioethics is used to analyze complex situations in biomedical fields permits the understanding of its importance to solve them and protecting human beings. One important contribution of the book is looking at current and future challenges that will (...) need an ethical consideration to make sure that biomedical research is not divorced from human rights. (shrink)

This article presents a view of bioethics in the Spanish context. We may identify several features common to Mediterranean countries because of their relatively similar social organisation. Each country has its own distinguishing features but we would point two aspects which are of particular interest¨: the Mediterranean view of autonomy and the importance of Catholicism in Mediterranean culture. The Spanish experience on bioethics field has been marked by these elements, trying to build a civic ethics alternative, with the law as (...) an important support. So, Spanish bioethics has been developed in two parallel levels: in the academic and policy maker field (University and Parliament) and in clinical practice (hospitals and healthcare ethics committees), with different paces and methods. One of the most important changes in the paternalistic mentality has been promoted through the recognition by law of the patient’s rights and also through the new generation of citizens, clearly aware on the exercise of autonomy. Now, the healthcare professionals have a new challenge: adapt their practice to this new paradigm. (shrink)