“Principles of Jewish Bioethics”

Dr. Ronald M. Green’s April lecture, “Four Distinguishing Principles of Jewish Bioethics,” raised some interesting questions regarding interpretation of Biblical law as applied to reproductive ethics and stem cell research.

Dr. Mary Jo Iozzio invited Green, the Cohen Professor for the Study of Ethics and Human Values at Dartmouth and Director of its Ethics Institute, to present the 2006 Barry University Council on Bioethics annual lecture. Iozzio noted Green was President of the Society of Christina Ethics, author of 6 books and 150 articles, and had established the Office of Genome Ethics within the National Institutes of Health.

Tracing the sources of Jewish ethical and theological teaching, Green noted that Jewish bioethicists still turn to the Talmud (Torah, Mishnash, and Gemara) to inform their decision making. The tradition is based on “divine command ethics,” grounded within a “democratic theocracy.” What does this mean? Green, referring to Deuteronomy 17, noted that “the Law is meant to be interpreted.”

Despite the multiplicity of approaches that might be taken by Ultra-Orthodox, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed Jews in interpreting specific cases, Green posited four principles that all share: 1) “the primacy of saving life;” 2) “the aversion to psychological or physical suffering;” 3) “the unfinished nature of creation” (humans as co-creators); and 4) “the ‘matricentric’ focus of perinatal decision making.”

After an explication of these principles, peppered with amusing and enlightening Rabbinic stories, Green applied the principles to contraception, abortion, and stem cell research. Some of the differences between Judaic and Catholic/Protestant interpretations, such as that regarding the moral standing and life of the embryo, were dramatic. As one can imagine, this resulted in a very lively question and answer period.

For more information on the Barry University Council of Bioethics, please contact Dr. Mary Jo Iozzio at mizzio@mail.barry.edu. Be sure to look for the next lecture in Spring 2006!