Issue One

1 August 2000

Editorial: Bioethics - Challenges for the Church
Bioethical issues raise fundamental questions about what it means to be human, and to live and relate in society. What are the challenges for the Church?

The Biotechnology Debate The Way Forward
Safety has dominated the public debate about biotechnology. A framework for the debate is needed to ensure that deeper moral questions are adequately addressed.

Ethics and the Treaty of Waitangi
The founding document of New Zealand embodies principles which are very much in harmony with the traditional principles of healthcare ethics.

Physician-assisted Suicide Palliative Care
The call to legalise physician-assisted suicide presents society with profound questions. Many people are simply unaware of other options for the terminally ill.

Genetically-Modified Foods Some Issues
Genetic modification has potential for both good and harm. The risks and benefits have to be set in the context of understanding our unique place in the living world.

Also short articles on
Assisted Human Reproduction
The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
The Human Genome and Rights

Journals list

Website Reviews

  • Michael McCabe

    The word bioethics was coined in 1972 and is derived from two Greek words: bios meaning life and ethos meaning ethics, principles or mores. Bioethics is the interdisciplinary field which encompasses more»

  • Michael McCabe

    In late June this year President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair jointly announced the completion of the first phase of the Human Genome Project. They compared the significance of this achievement more»

  • Sharron Cole

    The Treaty of Waitangi is regarded as the founding document of New Zealand. In signing the Treaty the Crown agreed that, within our society, the values and traditions of both cultures (Māori and more»

  • Michael McCabe

    The recent visit to New Zealand of euthanasia advocate, Dr Philip Nitschke, the submission for ballot of a Death with Dignity Bill by MP Peter Brown, and the announcement of a further $3.5m [in more»

  • Sharron Cole

    In its simplest terms, genetically modified food is food from plants which have had their genes altered in a laboratory. These modifications might confer resistance to insect, viral or fungal pests. more»

  • Nathaniel Centre Staff

    The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification has begun work on the huge task of inquiring into and reporting on the strategic options available to New Zealand with respect to genetic modification. more»

  • Nathaniel Centre Staff

    Assisted human reproductive technology refers to medical activities, which assist people to conceive and have children. It includes methods currently in use, such as in vitro fertilisation and more»