Inclusive and relevant language: the use of the concepts of autonomy, dignity and vulnerability in different contexts.
The article analyses the three terms autonomy, dignity and vulnerability. The relevance and practical application of the terms is tested in two spheres. First, as guiding principles in the area of ethics of medicines and science. Second, as human rights principles, serving to guide the conduct of public policies for an effective realization of human rights. The article argues that all human beings have the same dignity, but that the autonomy--and therefore vulnerability--differs considerably. Simply said, with reduced autonomy comes increased vulnerability, implying extra attention to the protective dimensions. The article finds that the three terms approach the protection of human beings in different ways and that all are relevant and applicable in both spheres, but that an isolated notion of autonomy and a 'group-based' notion of vulnerability are not adequate.
Haugen
Hans Morten
HM
Diakonhjemmet University College, P.O. Box 184 Vindern, 0319, Oslo, Norway. haugen@diakonhjemmet.no
D001675:Bioethics; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D028723:Personhood; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
BMJ. 2003 Dec 20;327(7429):1419-20
14684633
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2000 Dec 10;120(30):3743-5
11215952
Bioethics. 2003 Oct;17(5-6):472-86
14959716
Kennedy Inst Ethics J. 2004 Dec;14(4):411-25
15812988
Bull Med Ethics. 2002 Oct;(182):17-23
14983848
Int Dig Health Legis. 1998;49(2):416-7
11658044
Origins. 1995 Apr 6;24(42):689, 691-730
11660191