Analyzing Multiple Perspectives of ethical Dilemmas - Essay Example

Ethical Dilemmas Science and technology has been the greatest revolution of all times. Withits ability to explain everyday phenomenon with inferences and theories, which are empirically tested and used to invent machines and appliances that helps to make life easier and convenient, science has proved to be the best thing that has happened to man so far. However, this is more complicated than it seems. The study of phenomena and their application is a complex series of processes, which involve massive amount of energy, resources, and time, and the scarcity of all these precious entities raises the question of how to put them to best use with maximum benefit and minimum loss.

Here comes the question of ethics. Although, all branches in science have equal standing in terms of importance of ethics in their study and exploration, biology has been more prominent in this regard since it deals with the study of life itself; thus, engulfing the existence of plants, animals and most importantly, man himself. Therefore, bioethics, as it is widely known can be precisely come under definition as the discourse of the controversies with regard to the ethical dilemmas, which arise in the scientific study of life and living beings.

The ethical dilemmas in the field of biological research and development are quite numerous. Like in other discourses, these dilemmas open themselves to multiple perspectives and schools of thought and therefore are an enriched field to study. Here, the paper will include a few such dilemmas that have been a pressing concern for bioethicists these days and will include study of various perspectives on them. A very popular and most discussed dilemma in biology is that of cloning. Many scientists and scholar see cloning as a way to extend life in cases where survival is endangered (Brannigan, 11).

They contend that it is because of cloning that we can replicate livers and kidneys and save someone’s life. The ethical dilemma here is a strong one. For many others oppose this idea by claiming that it challenges the power of the Creator to create. If Dolly, the sheep can be ‘created’ from the original sheep whose cells were used as a template, then, these opponents remark, we are the ‘creators’ and this simply refutes the existence of an Almighty, someone who is All-Powerful and All-Encompassing.

Another interesting and somewhat resembling ethical dilemma is that of organ transplant (Chirban, 101). Those in favor of this process claim its utility by saying that it has the potential of saving millions of lives and as the donors are mostly dead, there is no possible harm while advocating the notion of what usually goes into the earth turns into the earth. However, on the other hand, radical fundamentalists of several religions deny this logic and claim that its God’s verdict as to who gets what and we human have no power whatsoever to decide whose organs are better suited for what purpose.

Another significant dilemma emerges when we talk about experimentation. Since a long time, scientists have been using animals and humans as subjects to study intricate patterns of development in genetics, perception, cognition, and various other fields. The notion of seeking permission in case of humans has been less disputed altogether. What is more pressed is the invasive techniques and shock treatment applied on animals that have no way to voice their consent. Thus, ethical dilemmas like those mentioned above and many others have been of utmost importance in todays’ world, and bioethics is still trying to solve these mysteriously confusing problems.

Works Cited Brannigan, Michael C. Ethical Issues in Human Cloning: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. Seven Bridges Press, 2001. Chirban, John T. Ethical Dilemmas: Crisis in Faith and Modern Medicine. University Press of America, 1994.