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In die Skriflig

On-line version ISSN 2305-0853
Print version ISSN 1018-6441

In Skriflig (Online) vol.43 n.2 Pretoria Jan. 2009

 

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Die waarde van menswaardigheid in die bioetiek

 

The worth of human dignity in bioethics

 

 

A.L. Rheeder

Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomkampus. Noordwes-Universiteit. Potchefstroom. E-pos: corriaan1@942.co.za

 

 


OPSOMMING

Daar word vandag deur bioetici en juriste aangevoer dat die begrip "menswaardigheid" geen bedrae lewer tot die bioetiek nie en in wese 'n nuttelose begrip is. Teenoor hierdie vooronderstelling word uitgegaan van die standpunt dat die begrip "menswaardigheid" tot die hart van die Bybel behoort en daarom as 'n vrugbare begrip in die bioetiek gebruik kan word. Menswaardigheid word gefundeer in die feit dat die mens na die beeld van God geskape is. Die feit dat die mens as beeld van God geskape is en dus menswaardig is, het ongetwyfeld implikasies vir die bioetiek. Menswaardigheid deur en teenoor die mens binne die bioetiek beteken dat genesing van siekte nagestreef moet word; dat die mens as psigosomatiese eenheid moet handel en behandel word; dat voortplanting eksklusief vanuit die huwelik mag plaasvind; en dat alle menslike lewe maksimaal beskerm moet word. Waar laasgenoemde nie gebeur nie, word die godgegewe waarde van die mens aangetas.


ABSTRACT

Bioethicists and jurists put forward that the notion of "human dignity" adds nothing to the field of bioethics and is essentially a meaningless term. Against this presupposition the view is put forward that the notion of "human dignity" belongs to the heart of the Bible and can therefore be used as a valuable notion in bioethics. Human dignity is founded in the fact that man is created in the image of God. The fact that man is created in God's image, and therefore has human dignity, undoubtedly has implications for bioethics. Human dignity by and towards man in bioethics has the meaning that one must strive for the healing of disease; that man must act and be treated as a psychosomatic unit; that reproduction may occurexclusively within marriage; and that all human life has to be maximally protected. Where the aforementioned does not occur, God-given human dignity is impinged upon.


 

 

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