Human dignity and human rights (celebration of the world bioethics day in the volgograd state medical university)

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- «..It is rightly said that dignity is the heart of human identity. From the formation of a fetus’ first tiny cell to life's final breath, all life has dignity and value. Human dignity and human rights are two sides of the same coin. Having dignity as a human gives ground to human rights, which are at the basis of any society. We are born with dignity and it is not a quality or status that one has to deserve or may lose. Similarly, rights are not favors granted to a person which can be granted or revoked whenever wanted. Being protected by law does not mean that they were established by law. Rights are inalienable and universal, which everyone is entitled to by birth. Everyone, including the children, the elderly, the people in care, victims of domestic violence, people with mental health problems, religious groups, teachers, soldiers and prisoners too are entitled and deserving of being treated fairly. It is rightly said that the dignity of a person is a fundamental right in itself.» (Patil Noopur Ramakrishna, Indian); - «. Also the psychologist has to work at all three stages of procedure with both parts. From the psychological point of view I think it is wrong that surrogate mother and child contact after childbirth and further friendship between these families is not desirable. This procedure is for surrogate mother a hard trial both at physical and at the psychological level. Therefore it is impossible to forget also about her universal rights. Surrogate mother is not an incubator, not the apparatus for the birth of children for money. This woman ought to be guided, first of all, by the principle of altruism and receive, respectively, medical, psychological and material support.» (Gerasimenko Tatiana, Russian Federation) - «.In Russia the question of the human rights and human dignity has been always particularly acute. One shouldn’t forget, that it is only in 1861 the serfdom has been cancelled in Russia while in London at this time the subway was already under construction. Russian people still sometimes posess archaic consciousness though citizens of Russia are worthy the good life including observance of the rights and aspiration to live in the country with the people respecting each other remains. Russian writer, literary critic, essayist philosopher Westerner, revolutionary democrat Vissarion Belinsky also examined in detail the concept of dignity. The problem of the human person, its rights and dignity was his central concern. Human attitude towards man, according V.G.Belinsky demands an active struggle affront to human dignity. He emphasized the relationship of the human advantages and practical affairs: "Only honest and selfless action is the condition human dignity. " His thoughts have not lost their relevance up to now ..» (Vorobyova Yana ,Russian Federation) - «.The hallmark of medical science is to heal, prolong life and sustain humanity. Any scientific research that demeans human dignity is a harm on humanity. Human cloning would create more problems than it solves; it lacks genetic diversity, it would violate human right to life, deform human dignity, increase susceptibility to diseases and loss of individuality. However, the availability of safe and viable alternatives such as Induced pluripotent stem cells research makes human cloning unnecessary. The energy and resources on human cloning research should be channeled in exploring other safe and morally acceptable alternatives in solving human’s health problems. In my research survey, 75% of 294 respondents disapproves human cloning; an indication of humanity withholding its consent. If we must uphold human dignity, ensure health safety and protect humanity, then there is need for a complete prohibition of human cloning across the globe.» ( Udofia Joel)

About the authors

A. D Donika

Volgograd State Medical University; Volgograd Medical Scientific Centre

Email: addonika@yandex.ru
Doctor of Sociology, Associate professor, Associate professor of Depatcher of Desaster Medicine Senior researcher of the Department of Ethical, Law and Sociological Expertise in Medicine Volgograd

D. A Shipunov

Volgograd State Medical University

Email: biosoc2008@yandex.ru
Doctor of Medicine., professor of the Department of Public health Volgograd

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