Missing Bioethicists: A Puzzling Absence Amidst Modern Ethical Dilemmas

In the wake of recent social and political events, bioethicists are stepping forward to educate their communities, advocate for change, and address pressing issues such as systemic racism, police-community relations, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Craig Klugman, a renowned bioethicist, emphasizes the importance of bioethics actively addressing social justice issues. He calls for advocacy for equity, structural change, and the inclusion of marginalized voices in ethical discussions.

The narrative ethics perspective is being used to scrutinize events such as the clearing of peaceful protesters for President Donald Trump's visit to St. John's Church. Both MSNBC and NPR portrayed the event as a violent "siege" and "brutality", with Trump, park police, and the national guard as villains, and the protestors as victims. Fox News, on the other hand, insinuated that Trump was a man of religious faith, visiting a damaged church before a curfew was in place, and that "protesters" were "moved" from the park for violating the curfew.

Breitbart, a right-wing content agency, briefly mentioned the event in reporting on a CNN commentator's statement.

Racism, considered both a health issue and an ethics issue, is a significant concern. The story of power in American history includes suppression and discrimination of Blacks after the end of slavery, federal efforts to militarize civilian police forces in the 1990s, urban renewal projects that displaced communities of colour, the war on drugs and mass incarceration of black men, enactment of redlining, underfunding of schools in black neighbourhoods, and the creation of medical and food deserts in Black communities.

Efforts to disenfranchise voters and spread lies have been criticized for diminishing democracy and demeaning most people in the country.

The response from the George Floyd killing and protests against racial injustice have been quieter among bioethicists. However, they have been prompted to issue special journal issues, write OpEds, work with the media, set up webinars, and advise governments on these critical issues.

Bioethicists are also urged to adopt a more public health stance, learn about social determinants of health, host webinars on health in minority populations, and advocate for greater access to voting, better education, civilian oversight of police, and shared democracy.

The article calls for action, asking not just "what can bioethics do", but "what will bioethics do?" Bioethicists are being encouraged to support affordable housing initiatives, push their institutions to hire more minorities into positions of authority, seek diversity in their classes and among their ranks, and question their own reactions to everyday encounters.

In conclusion, bioethicists are taking a more active role in addressing social justice issues, COVID-19, and its impact on health disparities. The question remains: what will bioethics do next?