Human dignity and human rights in bioethics: the Kantian approach

The concept of human dignity plays an important role in the public discussion of ethical issues concerning modern medicine and biology. At the same time, there is widespread scepticism about the definability of the content and claims of human dignity. The article draws on Kantian moral philosophy to show that human dignity actually has a definable content not as a norm in itself, but as a principle and basis for human rights and any deontological norms in biomedical ethics. When it comes to defining the scope of human dignity, i.e. the question of which individuals are protected by human dignity, Kant can clearly be found on the 'pro life' side of the controversy. However, this is due to some specific implications of Kant's transcendental approach that can be questioned.