Beyond a western bioethics : voices from the developing world

In "Beyond a Western Bioethics", physicians Angeles Tan Alora and Josephine M.

Lumitao join eight other contributors to provide a comprehensive exploration of bioethical issues outside of the dominant American and western European model.

Using the Philippines as a case study, they address how a developing country's economy, religion, and culture affect the bioethical landscape for doctors, patients, families, and the society as a whole.American principles of medical ethics assume the primacy of individual autonomy, the importance of truth-telling, and secular standards of justice and morality.

In the Philippines, these standards are often at odds with a culture in which family relationships take precedence over individualism, and ideas of community, friendship, and religion can deeply influence personal behaviour.

Pervasive poverty further complicates the equation.Written for both students and professionals, the book challenges the wisdom of global bioethical standards that do not account for local cultural and economic differences.