Principles of Bioethics Problem of Interpretation

Most of moral evaluations of bio problems are made on the basis of one of the existing moral theories or on that of a combination of the said theories as a moral approach. The evaluations presuppose a rule- or principle-based attitude towards the current disputes and also the necessity of using a moral theory as the origin or context of the rules or principles. It is generally, in both theory and practice, taken for granted that moral principles can effectively help decision makers, policy makers, bioethics committee members and research project managers. Principles of bioethics have mainly formed due to the mentioned presupposition. However, the universalistic attitude to ethics has recently been challenged in various ways. In this article, epistemological and ethical aspects of principles of bioethics have been examined from both universalistic and particularistic perspectives. It seems that, though this challenge deny the traditional interpretation of the principles which ignore the concrete process of formation of them, a moderate interpretation of ethical universalism may justify application of these principles.