Helga Kuhse
Encyclopedia
Helga Kuhse is an Australian utilitarian philosopher and bioethicist. From the 1970s, she was one of the first philosophers to address the ethical implications of the developments in biotechnology
and biomedicine
. With Peter Singer
, she founded the Centre for Human Bioethics
at Monash University
in 1980, one of the first research centres in the world devoted entirely to bioethics
. She served as Director of the Centre until June 1999. Her ideas on the end of life, the right to die, and assisted death, have prompted controversy worldwide.
Kuhse is a prominent supporter of the legalisation of voluntary assisted euthanasia
. Many people, including the former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia, Marshall Perron
, credit Kuhse's work as the inspiration for the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. In 1996, Perron told a public forum that it was after reading one of Kuhse's papers that he was prompted to introduce the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill into Parliament. The Act was the first piece of legislation anywhere in the world to legalise euthanasia
. However, the Act was overturned by the Australian Federal Government in 1997.
Kuhse has served on a number of ethics committees, and has been an expert advisor to Australian parliaments considering euthanasia legislation. In 1987, she founded the international academic journal Bioethics
with Peter Singer. The pair also founded the International Association of Bioethics. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at Monash University
.
, catipulted her into the public arena at a time when she was still finishing her PhD in philosophy. She has since written several works which have been highly influential both in academic circles and in broader public debate.
Some of her prominent works include:
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
and biomedicine
Biomedicine
Biomedicine is a branch of medical science that applies biological and other natural-science principles to clinical practice,. Biomedicine, i.e. medical research, involves the study of physiological processes with methods from biology, chemistry and physics. Approaches range from understanding...
. With Peter Singer
Peter Singer
Peter Albert David Singer is an Australian philosopher who is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne...
, she founded the Centre for Human Bioethics
Centre for Human Bioethics
The Centre for Human Bioethics is a research and teaching centre at Monash University, based in the Faculty of Arts. It focusses on the branch of ethics known as bioethics, a field relating to biological science and medicine...
at Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
in 1980, one of the first research centres in the world devoted entirely to bioethics
Bioethics
Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy....
. She served as Director of the Centre until June 1999. Her ideas on the end of life, the right to die, and assisted death, have prompted controversy worldwide.
Kuhse is a prominent supporter of the legalisation of voluntary assisted euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
. Many people, including the former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia, Marshall Perron
Marshall Perron
Marshall Bruce Perron is a former Australian politician, who was a Country Liberal Party member of the Legislative Assembly in the Northern Territory from the formation of the Assembly in 1974 until his resignation in 1995. From 1988 to 1995, Perron was the Chief Minister of the Northern...
, credit Kuhse's work as the inspiration for the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. In 1996, Perron told a public forum that it was after reading one of Kuhse's papers that he was prompted to introduce the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill into Parliament. The Act was the first piece of legislation anywhere in the world to legalise euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
. However, the Act was overturned by the Australian Federal Government in 1997.
Kuhse has served on a number of ethics committees, and has been an expert advisor to Australian parliaments considering euthanasia legislation. In 1987, she founded the international academic journal Bioethics
Bioethics (journal)
Bioethics is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International Association of Bioethics. There are 9 issues published each year, which are available both in print and online...
with Peter Singer. The pair also founded the International Association of Bioethics. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
.
Publications
Kuhse is the author of numerous prominent books on bioethics. Her first major work, Should the Baby Live? with Peter SingerPeter Singer
Peter Albert David Singer is an Australian philosopher who is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne...
, catipulted her into the public arena at a time when she was still finishing her PhD in philosophy. She has since written several works which have been highly influential both in academic circles and in broader public debate.
Some of her prominent works include:
- Bioethics: An Anthology (with Peter Singer)
- A companion to Bioethics (with Peter Singer)
- Unsanctifying Human Life: Essays on Ethics (with Peter Singer)
- Caring - Nurses, Women and Ethics
- Embryo Experimentation (with Peter Singer)
- Allocation of Health Care Resources : An Ethical Evaluation of the "Qaly" Approach (with Peter Singer)
- Willing to listen, wanting to die
- The Sanctity-of-Life Doctrine in Medicine: A Critique
- Is Infant Euthanasia Ever Justified (Opposing Viewpoints)
- Should the Baby Live? (with Peter Singer)
- Should the Baby Live: The Problem of Handicapped Infants