Ranging from assisted suicide to genetically altered food to psychosurgery, the field of bioethics is diverse and of great importance. Every day people grapple with the moral struggles modern science has presented us with. In America, we value our beliefs like we value our identities.

The country’s new shift in political majority likely means a large-scale upheaval of previously enacted social policy. In the midst of this sweeping transformation sit several very important bioethical hot button issues: abortion, stem cell research, gene therapy, and population control, among others. As such, the doors to the great paradoxical debate of “what is moral and just?” have been flung wide open.

Though by no means have these issues ever fallen out of the spotlight, it is now more than ever that the decisions made by President Obama and lawmakers concerning bioethical issues will define our nation and shape its future.

The Past
By all accounts, George W. Bush was one of the most ardent pro-life leaders this country has ever seen. For the past eight years, stem cell research, abortion and cloning have faced significant adversity in the wake of legislation passed by the president and conservative members of Congress. Throughout this time, America had been plagued by some of its toughest moral conundrums, including the right-to-die case of Terri Schiavo and rapid advancement in cloning technology.

The partial birth abortion ban signed by Bush in 2003 set a definitive pro-life direction for America. This was the first time the court has allowed any ban on abortion since 1973. This law, coupled with the Global Gag Rule ending U.S. foreign aid to organizations that promote or provide abortions, likely contributed to the continuing decrease of abortions domestically and abroad.

The Present
With every new president comes a welcomed sense of direction, optimism and, dare it be said, change. As the citizens of the United States anticipate stark contrast in policy from President Obama, it is likely that a heaping (and healthy) amount of debate will take place.

Less than two months into his presidency, Obama plans to give an executive order to lift the eight-year ban on embryonic stem cell research. On Jan. 23, he used the same process to reverse the aforementioned Global Gag Rule that Bush instated.

Cell therapy has the potential to treat cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, cardiac failure, muscle damage and neurological disorder. Though adult stem cells have already been instrumental in creating current therapies, researchers are hopeful that the reinstated ability to use embryos for experimentation will lead to further breakthroughs that have yet to be conceptualized.

The Predicament
When discussing the notion of these medical practices, the “ethics” part of bioethics cannot be stressed enough. At the root of all of the preaching and politics lies one very blunt question America has to answer: “What is life?” If we can answer that, then the only thing left to worry about is whether or not Americans value life, which is a loaded issue itself.

For instance, the meat packing industry kills over 40 million cattle each year, but if someone throws your dog into oncoming traffic, then they are sentenced to three years in prison. It is illegal to help someone die when they are willing, but legal to make that decision for an unborn fetus.

Social policy surrounding bioethics is really about philosophy. Because philosophy is innately abstract and relative to an individual’s ideals, there is no common answer to theproblem. Regardless, the debate will rage on, and it is important that everyone, especially students, utilize the same fervor they did during the elections to raise their voices.

The most important thing you can do is get involved. Though there are numerous organizations concerning individual issues (particularly abortion), there are few that address the field as a whole. A convenient resource for students is the University of Minnesota’s Center for Bioethics, which can be found on the East Bank of campus or online at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/bioethics/.

Tags: Barack Obama, politics