Mad dogs and (arguably) madder Scotsmen: biomedical ethics in an Asian context

Abstract

Throughout my career, the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences have been the unexpected twists and turns. When I was studying theology as a candidate for the ministry, after four years of philosophy, I never dreamt that I would end up as a Professor of Medical Ethics in three different medical schools; and even when I had published my first medical ethics textbook in 1972, I did not expect to be appointed founding editor of the Journal of Medical Ethics. (The accepted view was that it would have to be helmed by a ‘real’ doctor – ‘up to the elbows in blood’ and all that!) But by far the most unexpected and rewarding of all the unpredicted twists and turns was an email message in December 2006 from my friend, Tom Murray, by then President of the Hastings Center, asking if I would consider – as an alternative to finally retiring – being considered for the newly founded Chen Su Lan Centennial Chair in Medical Ethics at the National University of Singapore. Well, here I am, nearly three years into the post, having set up what has become the largest biomedical ethics centre in Asia, with nine academic staff plus three adjunct clinical staff and a cadre of about 30 clinical tutors. When I accepted the appointment, it was obvious that a number of my friends and contemporaries thought I was mad. It was never said directly of course – just raised eyebrows, or remarks like ‘How brave of you to take on something like this at our age!’; or, ‘Aren’t you ready for a bit of a rest?’ It’s true that when the heat and humidity of Singapore first hits you – like a thick soup – the celebrated ditty of Noel Coward springs instantly to mind: ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun!’ But in fact one soon learns to go outdoors at sensible times. (What is less expected is freezing nearly to death in the overeffective air-conditioning, especially in up-market hotels and restaurants!) However, beyond this quite trivial level of difference, there is a wealth of surprise, stimulation and challenge in launching a teaching and research enterprise in biomedical ethics in a different culture from one’s own, and it is to these dimensions of similarity and difference that I shall now turn.