Another look at dignity.

Abstract

With the considerable attention given to UNESCO's Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights, the time has come to take another look at the concept of dignity, on which this document is morally founded. The term “dignity” now appears in many national constitutions and international bioethical statements. It has also become popular among Continental European ethicists, many of whom wish to challenge the particularly American and overtly individualistic principles of “autonomy,” “justice,” “beneficence,” and “nonmaleficence.”This paper was produced as a part of the project Genes, Information, and Business, financed in 2000–2003 by the Academy of Finland. The first draft was presented at the fourth International Bioethics Retreat in Paris, May 2001. My thanks are due to the participants of the meeting for their constructive comments and suggestions.