Van Rensselaer Potter
Encyclopedia
Van Rensselaer Potter II (August 27, 1911 – September 6, 2001) was an American
biochemist
. He was professor of oncology
at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
for more than 50 years.
In 1970, Dr. Potter created the term bioethics
to describe a new philosophy that sought to integrate biology, ecology, medicine, and human values. Bioethics is often linked to environmental ethics
and stands in sharp contrast to biomedical ethics. Because of this confusion (and appropriation of the term in medicine), Potter chose to use the term global bioethics in 1988.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
. He was professor of oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
for more than 50 years.
In 1970, Dr. Potter created the term 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....
to describe a new philosophy that sought to integrate biology, ecology, medicine, and human values. Bioethics is often linked to environmental ethics
Environmental ethics
Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to including the non-human world...
and stands in sharp contrast to biomedical ethics. Because of this confusion (and appropriation of the term in medicine), Potter chose to use the term global bioethics in 1988.
Popular
- Bioethics: Bridge to the Future (Prentice-Hall, 1971)
- Global Bioethics: Building on the Leopold Legacy (Michigan State Univ Pr 1988) ISBN 0-87013-264-4
External links
- In Memoriam: McArdle Laboratory
- Obituary: Cancer Research 63, 1724, April 1, 2003