Abstract

The rationale for the establishment of a National Bioethics Committee is discussed. Social and cultural dimensions of bioethics that led to the flourishing of bioethics as a system of thoughts and ideas in the Western world and the influence it has made in parts of the Eastern world is explored. It is held that bioethics is valuable as an educational tool to enhance critical and decision-making skills. The need for a National Bioethics Committee in Malaysia is practical for the purpose of assisting the government in drawing up of sound public policies pertaining to health care and scientific research practices and, to advance bioethics as an integrated study of life, science, and society