Abstract
This paper investigates the philosophical foundations of modern bioengineering to articulate its ethical framework. Engineering as an ultimate mechanism to transform knowledge into practice is essential for both physical and biological sciences. It reduces data, concepts, and designs to pictorial forms. The integration of engineering with the newly emerging biosciences, has presented a unique opportunity to overcome the major challenges that face the environmental and human health. To harness potentials of bioengineering and establish a sustainable foundation for green technology, modern scientists and engineers need to be acquainted with the normative questions of science. In addition to acquiring the general principles of scientific research and identifying the intrinsic goals of the endeavour, philosophy of bioengineering exposes bioengineers to both the descriptive ‘how’ questions of the physical world as well as the normative ‘why’ questions of values. Such an interdisciplinary approach is significant, not only for inspiring to acquire the genuine knowledge of the existing world, but also to expose the bioengineers to their ethical and social responsibilities. Besides introducing the conceptual framework of bioengineering, this paper has investigated the three major philosophies that have been dominating the theoretical presuppositions of scientific research method in history. Namely, (i) Systems biology approach; (ii) Evolutionary biology approach; and (iii) Mechanical view approach. To establish the ethical foundation of modern bioengineering, the paper, also has conducted an analytical study on various branches of the emerging discipline of bioscience.The paper has concluded that adopting the interdisciplinary approach in research and education is essential to harness potentials of bioengineering and to establish foundations of green technology. To achieve the final objectives of bioengineering, both the practical and theoretical knowledge of values must be acquired. The former is essential for invention and innovation; meanwhile the later exposes bioengineers to the integrated discipline of knowledge and values.Â
Highlights
In its ambitious plan for a bioengineering research programme in the 21st century, Harvard University emphasizes that there is enormous potential for transformation of bioengineering into a discipline directed toward synthesis of technologies that have profound impact on human well-being and the future of the planet earth
Through reflection on philosophical foundations of bioengineering, this paper aims at articulating fundamentals of the integrated approach
Among many types of biosciences, bioinformatics and systems biology might be regarded as key elements of analytical approaches that are capable of providing relevant methods which enable bioengineers to build systematic databases and access various forms of biological systems for explanation and understanding
Summary
In its ambitious plan for a bioengineering research programme in the 21st century, Harvard University emphasizes that there is enormous potential for transformation of bioengineering into a discipline directed toward synthesis of technologies that have profound impact on human well-being and the future of the planet earth. The interdisciplinary approach that integrates engineering with biological and physical sciences is becoming the central issue of the modern philosophy of science It presents a unique opportunity for scientific enterprise to develop methods to enhance human health and protect the natural environment. The scientific advancements in the first half of the Twentieth Century, especially during World War II, brought to scientists‟ attention the practical value of teleological explanation to develop goal-guided systems to communicate and control biological as well as physical systems This transdisciplinary approach has become known as „Cybernetics‟. Articulation of the philosophical foundations of bioscience, understanding its rational framework, the formulation of its principles, and developing the relevant approaches to understand the complex systems of life is, becoming the major objective of the modern philosophy of science These are the basic themes that this paper aims to highlight. Conclusions and findings of the paper are found in the final section
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