BIOETHICS AND FEAR OF FREEDOM

Abstract

Bioethics was developed at the end of the 20th century as a response to the innovationsin medicine, but also as a consequence of the refl exive modernization. From the pointof view of refl exive modernization life is not only a categorical value, but also a subject thatshould be evaluated by the terms of its quality. On the other hand, it is the life of an individualthat is some kind of paradox, if not entirely meaningless, from the perspective of a higher culturalphilosophy. Because of this absurdity and coincidental character of life, author’s opinion isthat interventions into the basic structures of natural life should be allowed (at least in a certainlevel) – e.g. through pre-implantational diagnosis or some other bio-medical techniques (eugenics),in order to improve the individual life. In Germany bioethics of “optimizing life“ provokesresistance because it evokes the memories of crimes of the national socialism. In this manner anew fear of freedom emerges which obstructs potentials of bioethical refl exion, although life hasbeen evaluated by the terms of its quality for quite some time.