생명윤리의 세속화에 대한 고찰

This article deals with the reflection to the secularization of bioethics and its implication to the Korean Churches. In the first stage, the beginning of bioethics will be examined. In this part, we will see the fact that christian theologians had a crucial role in the emergence of modern western bioethics. In the second stage, the secularization of bioethics will be explored. Here we will look at the reason why bioethics has been secularized in relation to the western historical background. And, we will recognize that theological approaches to bioethics have gradually been replaced by philosophical approaches to bioethics in the secularization process. In the third stage, the limitation of secular (or philosophical) bioethics and the recovery of theological bioethics will be discussed. We will find that there is no consensus in modern secular (or philosophical) bioethics. Due to this, theological approaches to bioethics is positively being requested to engage in modern bioethics debate. Actually, many theological bioethicists in various countries are deeply involved in the National bioethics committees as well as the Hospital bioethics committees. In conclusion, this article proposes the Korean churches’ positive engagement to the present bioethics debate.