Disability : an agenda for bioethics

Abstract

Throughout the ages, much has been said and written about the disabled. For some, being disabled meant a life of tragedy. For others, it was an uphill struggle, but managed to succeed. In this thesis, there are a number of examples of failures and successes dating from the Egyptian era to the present day. Extensive research has been done on the medical and social models of disability. Nonetheless, this has changed to the bio psychosocial approach which now finally sees the person not merely as a disabled comprising a number of parts, but as a person in their own right. So far, bioethics has perceived the disabled either from the perspective of prenatal technology, or from other theoretical aspects thereby ignoring the true value of life. Therefore, bioethics needs to look at these people and become their pillar of strength.