Sophia University Institute of Bioethics
The Institute of Bioethics (SUIBE) was established in April 2010 based on the Sophia University philosophy, namely “Christian humanism” and “human dignity.” SUIBE is to develop and deepen research on bioethics, integrating the academic fields of the human sciences, social sciences and natural sciences. The study of bioethics was started in the U.S.A. The field developed in response to the rapid development of advanced medical technology and has now come to focus on problems in research on the human embryo, human substances, and genome biology. However, bioethics also includes the study of more fundamental ethical concerns related to the meaning of human life. SUIBE considers not only the problems of medical science research and medical ethics, such issues as mental health, reproductive technology, terminal care, and organ transplants, but also medical welfare issues such as access to health care, protection and care of children, the aged, and the disabled.
Activities
SUIBE holds a public symposium several times a year, and sponsors research meetings for its members, and works with Japanese and international partners to publish research results and to make those results available to the general public, and to offer advice for policy makers.