Bioethik und Angst vor der Freiheit
Bioethics and Fear of Freedom

Summary/Abstract: Bioethics was developed at the end of the 20th century as a response to the innovations in medicine, but also as a consequence of the reflexive modernization. From the point of view of reflexive modernization life is not only a categorical value, but also a subject that should be evaluated by the terms of its quality. On the other hand, it is the life of an individual that is some kind of paradox, if not entirely meaningless, from the perspective of a higher cultural philosophy. Because of this absurdity and coincidental character of life, author’s opinion is that interventions into the basic structures of natural life should be allowed (at least in a certain level) – e.g. through pre-implantational diagnosis or some other bio-medical techniques (eugenics), in order to improve the individual life. In Germany bioethics of “optimizing life“ provokes resistance because it evokes the memories of crimes of the national socialism. In this manner a new fear of freedom emerges which obstructs potentials of bioethical refl exion, although life has been evaluated by the terms of its quality for quite some time.

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