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'(East) Asia' as a platform for debate: grouping and bioethics

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 01:54 authored by Margaret Sleeboom-FaulknerMargaret Sleeboom-Faulkner
This article examines the use of the notions of “Asian” and “East Asian” in definitions of bioethics. Using examples from East Asia, I argue that the verbal Asianization of bioethics is based on the notion of “Asia” as a family metaphor and serves as a platform of bioethical debate, networking, and political change. I maintain that the use of “Asia” and “East Asia” to shape bioethics is not so much a sign of inward-looking regionalism, but an attempt to build bridges among Asian countries, while putting up a common stance against what educated elites interpret as undesirable global trends of Westernization through bioethics. Using the notions of “grouping” and “segmentary systems” to show the performative nature of characterizations of (East) Asian bioethics, allowing users to mark regional identity, share meanings, take political positions, and network. Deploying Peter Haas’s notion of “epistemic communities,” I argue that academic and political elites translate “home” issues into “Asia speak,” while at the same time, introducing and giving shape to “new” bioethical issues. Although the “Asianisms” and group-marking activities of Asian networks of bioethics are ideological, thereby engaging in the politics of in/exclusion, they succeed in putting politically sensitive topics on the agenda.

Funding

Bionetworking in Asia - International collaboration, exchange, and responsible innovation in the life sciences; G0750; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/I018107/1

Bionetworking in Asia - A social science approach to international collaboration, informal exchanges, and responsible innovation in the life sciences; G0812; EUROPEAN UNION; 283219

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal

ISSN

1054-6863

Publisher

Johns Hopkins University Press

Issue

3

Volume

26

Page range

277-301

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-08-04

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-03-02

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-08-04

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