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10 principles of bioethics4peace

The International Chair in Bioethics defines bioethics “as an area of human thinking and social intervention that approaches the ethics of life sciences, including non-human ethics and health professional practice, from a multi and transdisciplinary perspective. Bioethics has analytical, descriptive, and normative dimensions, and has a close connection to biolaw at national and international levels”. Bioethics contributes to peace by providing an ethical framework that prioritizes human dignity, social justice, and environmental sustainability over conflict. It functions as a “science of survival” that connects the knowledge of living systems with values to foster social cohesion and prevent violence.

ICB proposes 10 principles of bioethics4peace:

  1. Human Dignity and Human Rights: By adhering to principles like solidarity, cooperation, equality and non-discrimination, bioethics helps reduce social conflict and encourages tolerance, essential elements for societal peace. Bioethics works alongside international law to protect human dignity, applying international legal instruments to ensure equitable treatment and reduce inequality.
  2. Environmental Responsibility and Environmental Peace: Bioethics recognizes that war devastates ecosystems, and it advocates for environmental preservation as a precondition of peace.
  3. Intergenerational Responsibility: Global bioethics focuses on the protection of future generations, compelling decision-makers to consider the long-term impact of current conflicts on ecological health and One Health. And assuring the overall benefits of scientific research.  
  4. Social Justice (and cohesion): Building a modern and sustainable Welfare State, namely Advancing Health as a Component of Peace is instrumental for this goal to be achieved. War may be seen as a Public Health Crisis, war is not just as a political dispute, but as a crisis demanding public health intervention.
  5. Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations: Bioethics reinforces the duty of health professionals to care for civilian populations in war zones, advocating for neutral, humanitarian access to essential services. Always including a gender sensitive perspective.
  6. Respect for Cultural Diversity and Pluralism as a Foundation of Peace: Cultural Diversity promotes a full human development and economic sustainability.
  7. Preventive action and active advocacy against the causes of war, namely challenging the uncontrolled development of weapons.
  8. Supporting Conflict Transformation Dialogue and Reconciliation: Bioethics provides tools for negotiation, facilitating conversations that can lead to humanitarian truces and, ultimately, sustainable peace.
  9. Integrating Bioethics into a true Education4Peace: Bioethical value-based education helps learners’ transition from behaviors rooted in conflict to a mindset of social responsibility and cohesion. Including the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
  10. Cultivating a Culture of Life: As the “ethics of life,” it challenges ideologies that dehumanize others, fostering a “global bioethics” that aligns with the “other” and encourages empathy and compassion.