title: Personhood in the bioethics literature.
abstract: Althought the literature--medical, philosophical, religious, and legal-- on personhood is vast, there is little evidence that writers on this topic are approaching a consensus on the meaning of the concept or on criteria for its application. Some writers set low, or minimal, standards for personhood - others posit higher, more normative standards. But throughout, the moral values writers antecedently embrace determine the definition they arrive at by way of conclusion. Personhood has not been a useful concept for resolving dilemmas in bioethics.
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D033421:Beginning of Human Life; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001675:Bioethics; D003657:Decision Making; D026822:Ethicists; D005260:Female; D040821:Human Characteristics; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life; D028681:Moral Obligations; D009014:Morals; D028723:Personhood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012945:Social Values; D028725:Theology; D014956:Writing