Interactive Cases of Bioethics and Public Health: by the Examples of Counteraction to Xenophobia, Discrimination and Inequality

Abstract

Aim: This article examines how bioethicists can make a significant contribution to mediation, public discourse, research, educating, learning, policy-making and academic impact in response to troubling and persistent models of xenophobia, racism and ‘pretentious’ prejudice. In order to make a meaningful contribution to these issues, bioethicists need training, awareness that they can play an important educational role in cooperation with other specialists and social spheres. Materials and Methods: An understanding of these issues from the perspective of bioethics is important in terms of the methodological approach that is used in its explanations. For example, in education, public health, etc. In the course of the research the bibliographic, bibliosemantic method, the method of system analysis. Conclusions: The main mechanism for combating xenophobia is the development of personal and social tolerance. Tolerance does not require an obligatory love to «our own»’ and to «others», but offers recognition of the real pluralism of cultures and ways of life, Professional training of/for bioethicists as partners/trainers who work together with the community to create solutions. Thus, as bioethicists, we create new educational and cultural programmes based on the knowledge gained through the integration of previous projects in various layers of society. They stimulate ethical and creative thinking, create conditions for team learning and encourage people in teams to find innovative ways of operating in contexts of high uncertainty and complexity of the 21st century. We therefore assume that bioethicists, as agents of change, are able to operate on various educational levels (starting from the primary level), contributing to increasing awareness and tolerance of one country’s population by communicating key bioethical messages. The purpose of bioethicists as educational tutors will be not only to understand the social and psychological sources of xenophobia and discrimination manifestations, but also to corroborate existing negative attitudes and stereotypes prevalent in the modern society.