EDITORIAL

Although Bioethics was characterized, in its origins, by a marked inclination for all what had reference with medicine; it is unquestionable that this discipline, along its relative short existence, (it was only in the year 1971 that the term was coined as such), however its advances in this short time, have been enough, which has allowed to expand its spectrum and invoke almost all disciplines, suggesting to them, broad ethical references, both in the disciplinary area and the research field.

Today, we can say that Bioethics seeks to create an environment that protects life and the environment, through an interdisciplinary effort, in the pursuit of self-governing principles and universal character, which must be oriented to protect life as essence own nature, without just considering an anthropocentric view; but before, on the other hand, it seeks to cover issues relating to the life of the animals, plants and everything in the cosmos, which we as human beings are part of. It can be said that its insistence is very oriented to find and to promote a harmony of nature, thus posing a correct and ethical, scientific performance. Bioethics has become today a completely practical discipline, in the reconciliation of the imperative of freedom of research, with the primacy of the person and the protection of humanity.

The issues raised in the previous paragraph clearly show how Bioethics, as a discipline, from its academic, investigative and scientific work, is continuously guiding us to have a proper use of the scientific knowledge and technologies. It also warns us about the tensions, concerns, and adverse consequences that can occur through the application of science without conscience, in human beings, in living things, and course, for the social, ecological, and environmental damages, caused by an improper application of the scientific progress, which undoubtedly jeopardizes the sustainability of life on the planet, hence the invitation of Bioethics: "Let's build science with conscience."

Carlos Mario Cardona R
Editor