Comparison of Fundations of Bioethics from the Perspective of Monotheistic and Non-Monotheistic Religions

Abstract

Background and Aim: The scope of bioethics in addition to plants and animals includes human topics such as abortion, organ transplantation, palliative care, euthanasia, human simulation and biomedical researchs. The aim of this study was to investigate the foundations of bioethics in monotheistic and non-monotheistic religions as well as the differentiations and commonalities in this field. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was carried out in a library style. After purposeful searching of resources in both manual and electronic methods, the differentiations and commonalities of monotheistic and non-monotheistic religions in the field of ethical issues were compared and adapted. Findings: Both monotheistic and non-monotheistic religions have accepted wisdom as a valid source of inferation, with the difference that monotheistic religions have accepted the criterion of revelation-based reasoning, but non-monotheistic religions have accepted wisdom as an independent source of discernment. Both of them adhere to the values of truthfulness and loyalty and disrespects abortion and euthanasia, which are rooted in human nature. Attention to the human dignity and rights also close these two, although there are some fundamental differences in some principles, such as attitudes to the creation philosophy of man, his dimensions of existence and life after death. Conclusion: Ethical decision-making on issues such as abortion, euthanasia and surrogacy have been linked to the religious beliefs of patients and community culture. Given the fundamental differences in the underlying foundations, it is recommended that ethical decision-making criteria be established in religious communities. Please cite this article as: Bagheri H. Comparison of Fundations of Bioethics from the Perspective of Monotheistic and Non-Monotheistic Religions. Bioethics Journal 2018; 8(28): 79-92.