Feminist Approaches To Bioethics: Theoretical Reflections And Practical Applications

No other cluster of medical issues affects the genders as differently as those related to procreationcontraception, sterilization, abortion, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood, and genetic screening. Yet, the moral diversity among feminists has led to political fragmentation, foiling efforts to create policies that are likely to serve the interests of the largest possible number of women. In this remarkable book, Rosemarie Tong offers an approach to feminist bioethics that serves as a catalyst, bringing together the varied perspectives on choice, control, and connection. Emphasizing the complexity of feminist debates, she guides feminists toward consensus in thought, cooperation in action, and a world that would have no room for domination and subordination.Tong fairly and comprehensively presents the traditions of both feminist and non-feminist ethics. Although feminist approaches to bioethics derive many insights from nonfeminist ethics and bioethics, Tong shows that their primary source of inspiration is feminist ethics, leading them to ask the so-called "woman question" in order to raise women's consciousness about the systems, structures, and relationships that oppress them. Feminist bioethicists are, naturally, focused on acting locally in the worlds of medicine and science. Their different feminist voices must be raised at the policy table with one message in order to actuallydosomething to make gender equity a present reality rather than a mere future possibility. Inability to define a plan thatguaranteesliberation for all women must not prevent feminists from offering a plan that promises to improve the estates of many women. Otherwise, a perspective less appealing to women may fill the gap.

Rosemarie Tong is a Distinguished Professor of Health Care Ethics in the Department of Philosophy and Center for Professional Applied Ethics at the University of North Carolina.