Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the study of biomedical ethics in a variety of ways, each worthy of integration in the overall discussion of an ethical core to medical science and how it developed over time. Collectively, they explore the social, political, legal, economic and clinical dimensions of medical ethics and bioethics with a focus on British and German developments and issues during the past century. The book shows different patterns emerging and a slow uptake in public discussion. Ethics in medicine has been highly dependent on social contexts. The medical profession, courts of law, health insurance schemes, governmental organisations, and the biotechnological industry continue to be key influences. Close attention to how this interplay develops and how historical patterns have shaped responses in the many contexts of sociability - not only its underlying philosophical principles - will decide the bioethics of the future.