Prof. Darryl R. Macer, a renowned academic in the fields of Bioethics and Global Public Health and the President of the American University of Sovereign Nations (AUSN), delivered a lecture titled “Bioethics, Peace Culture, and the Responsibilities of Medical Professionals” at AFSU’s Faculty of Medicine. The event, which attracted great interest from our staff and students, covered a broad range of ethical topics, from the cultural impacts on healthcare practices to contemporary issues in the field.
During the lecture, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Erbay, Chair of the Department of Medical History and Ethics, and held in the Blue Hall, Prof. Macer discussed the ethical challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that the fundamental principles of bioethics, an academic discipline at the intersection of ethics and biology, are “justice, beneficence, autonomy, and non-maleficence.”
Prof. Macer pointed out the growing level of empathy in global healthcare and underscored the increasing importance of dialogue surrounding differing values and risk judgments. He expressed optimism that lessons from the pandemic would lead to greater sensitivity regarding how our actions affect others, reducing harm to the environment and discrimination against others.
Noting that Western civilization’s perception of medicine has globally influenced healthcare, Prof. Macer also highlighted the increasing need for diverse voices, objections, and an interdisciplinary perspective capable of viewing human rights issues, particularly patient rights, through the lens of cultural values.
Criticizing the materialistic concept of happiness promoted by popular culture, Prof. Macer said: “Bioethics is the art of loving life and making decisions. Merely being happy is not enough for a good life in every sense. To achieve well-being, we need to develop an understanding that encompasses the whole of life. In this regard, it is essential to focus on deeper values and goals that give meaning to human life. We need this now more than ever, and in recent decades, more people have been able to apply ethical principles, balance them, and make more decisions on their own. Therefore, to teach, we must also be students and listen to others.”
In his lecture, Prof. Macer also touched on the connections between bioethics and international law. He discussed a wide range of topics, from income inequality to migration and citizenship issues, and from state sovereignty to colonialism, which have been examined at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He shared his thoughts on how reforms contribute to the development of law and world peace.
The lecture, which continued with a Q&A session, concluded with AFSU Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Necip Becit, Vice Deans Prof. Dr. Tolga Ertekin, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Özer Gökaslan presenting Prof. Macer with a certificate of appreciation and a gift.
Prof. Dr. Okumuş Hosted Our Guest in His Office
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Nurullah Okumuş, hosted Prof. Darryl R. Macer in his office. He shared information about the education system and innovative projects at AFSU and exchanged ideas with his guest on the contributions of medical ethics to medical education and healthcare practices.
Expressing his satisfaction with both the warm hospitality shown by Prof. Dr. Okumuş and AFSU staff and the interest shown by academics and students in his lecture, Prof. Macer also visited the Afyonkarahisar Museum and various historical sites in our city.
Who is Prof. Darryl R. Macer?
A New Zealander with over 45 books and more than 300 articles on core bioethics topics such as traditional medicine, cultural interactions in medicine, and perceptions of illness and health, Prof. Darryl R. Macer is renowned for his expertise in Asian cultures, particularly Japan, and for his success in reflecting this knowledge in medical ethics. He is the founding president of AUSN, which offers integrated and hybrid-format master’s and doctoral programs, particularly in bioethics and public health. From 2004 to 2013, Prof. Macer held various advisory and leadership positions at UNESCO’s Asia Office.
Güncelleme Tarihi: 12 Eylül 2024
