Resumen

NOVOA, Fernando. Three decades of bioethics. Rev. chil. neuro-psiquiatr. [online]. 2003, vol.41, n.2, pp. 145-151. ISSN 0717-9227.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-92272003000200009.

The emergence of bioethics is the result of profound changes on the technical, scientific and sociopolitical levels of Western Culture. This article reviews some aspects of bioethics as mentioned in the editorial of this issue: "A stranger at the bedside? Bioethics reaches the age of thirty". We offer our thoughts on the development of bioethics, its relation with the judiciary system, moral values in general and the obligatoriness to comply the patient´s requests. Bioethics can be considered a reaction to the paternalistic attituded that prevailed in human relations over centuries, adapting to the modern society and its respect for pluralism of moral values, autonomy of competent persons and democratic ideas.Since moral values vary with time and places, bioethics is subject to a certain degree of relativism. Legislation seems to be responsible for setting the minimal acceptable limits for human relations, according to the type of society that people wish to live in.

Palabras clave : bioethics; legislation; moral; patient rights.