The Universality of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights

Abstract

This chapter discusses the acceptance of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UDBHR), by acclamation. It highlights that the Declaration has broadened the scope of bioethics, by integrating international human rights law into the field of biomedicine, and considered about the environment biosphere and biodiversity. The Declaration is seen as a global benchmark for all countries, as it focuses on the concepts of common principles, shared values and internal cooperation between countries. This paper also critically analyses the limitations of the UDBHR, commenting on the difficulty in the application of human rights and solidarity in the Asian and global context, respectively. However, despite its limitations, the Declaration is still relevant and applicable for all, as it takes into consideration the diverse culture in different countries. The UDBHR also strives to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the principles, by issuing further guidance.