Design Bioethics: A Theoretical Framework and Argument for Innovation in Bioethics Research
- PMID: 33502959
- PMCID: PMC8676709
- DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2020.1863508
Design Bioethics: A Theoretical Framework and Argument for Innovation in Bioethics Research
Abstract
Empirical research in bioethics has developed rapidly over the past decade, but has largely eschewed the use of technology-driven methodologies. We propose "design bioethics" as an area of conjoined theoretical and methodological innovation in the field, working across bioethics, health sciences and human-centred technological design. We demonstrate the potential of digital tools, particularly purpose-built digital games, to align with theoretical frameworks in bioethics for empirical research, integrating context, narrative and embodiment in moral decision-making. Purpose-built digital tools can engender situated engagement with bioethical questions; can achieve such engagement at scale; and can access groups traditionally under-represented in bioethics research and theory. If developed and used with appropriate rigor, tools motivated by "design bioethics" could offer unique insights into new and familiar normative and empirical issues in the field.
Keywords: Design bioethics; empirical bioethics; epistemology; games; videogames; young people.
Conflict of interest statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Comment in
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The Costs of Purposeful Games: When Building a Tool Means Building a Market.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):59-60. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915421. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036877 No abstract available.
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Powers and Perils.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):72-73. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915413. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036882 No abstract available.
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Ontology: A Bridge between Bioethics and Data-Driven Inquiry.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):51-53. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915420. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036883 No abstract available.
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"Let's Test Crazy Ideas!" A Laboratory for Experimental Bioethics.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):57-58. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915418. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036884 No abstract available.
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Design Justice for Design Bioethics.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):63-66. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915419. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036885 No abstract available.
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Design Bioethics and Digital Research Creep.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):66-68. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915425. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036887 No abstract available.
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What about Ethics in Design Bioethics?Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):61-63. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915415. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036888 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
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Design Bioethics, Not Only as a Research Tool but Also a Pedagogical Tool.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):69-71. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915416. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036889 No abstract available.
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Advancing Methods in Empirical Bioethics: Bioxphi Meets Digital Technologies.Am J Bioeth. 2021 Jun;21(6):53-56. doi: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1915417. Am J Bioeth. 2021. PMID: 34036891 No abstract available.
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