bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced oxygen transfer rate and bioprocess yield by using magnetite nanoparticles in fermentation media of erythromycin
Authors: Labbeiki Ghazal , Attar Hossein , Heydarinasab Amir , Sorkhabadi Sayed , Rashidi Alimorad
Published: September 2014

Background

Magnetite nanoparticles have widespread biomedical applications. In the aerobic bioprocesses, oxygen is a limiting factor for the microbial metabolic rate; hence a high availability of oxygen in the medium is crucial for high fermentation productivity. This study aimed to examine the effect of using magnetite nanoparticles on oxygen transfer rate in erythromycin fermentation culture.

Methods

Magnetite nanoparticles were synthetized through co-precipitation method. After observing the enhanced oxygen transfer rate in deionized water enriched with magnetite nanoparticles, these nanoparticles were used in the media of bySaccharopolyspora erythraeagrowth to explore their impact on erythromycin fermentation titer. Treatments comprised different concentrations of magnetite nanoparticles, (0, 0.005, 0.02 v/v).

Results

In the medium containing 0.02 v/v magnetite nanoparticles, KLa was determined to be 1.89 time higher than that in magnetite nanoparticle-free broth. An improved 2.25 time higher erythromycin titer was obtained in presence of 0.02 v/v nanoparticles.

Conclusions

Our results, demonstrate the potential of magnetite nanoparticles for enhancing the productivity of aerobic pharmaceutical bioprocesses.
Characterizing plasma albumin concentration changes in TB/HIV patients on anti retroviral and anti –tuberculosis therapy
Authors: Bisaso Kuteesa R , Owen Joel S , Ojara Francis W , Namuwenge Proscovia M , Mugisha Apollo , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Luboobi Livingstone S , Mukonzo Jackson K
Published: September 2014

Purpose

Plasma albumin, a biomarker for hepatic function, is reported to correspondingly decrease in concentration as disease severity increases in chronic infections including HIV and TB. Our objective was to develop a semi-mechanistic disease progression model to quantify plasma albumin concentration changes during TB and HIV therapy and identify the associated covariate factors.

Methods

Plasma albumin concentration data was collected at specified times for 3 months from 262 HIV participants receiving efavirenz based anti retroviral therapy. Of these, 158 were TB co-infected and on Rifampicin based anti –tuberculosis co-treatment. An indirect response model with zero order albumin production and first order elimination was developed in NONMEM version 7.2 to describe our data. Genotype (CYP2B6*6 and 11, CYP3A5, ABCB1c.3435C>T and ABCB1rs), TB disease status, baseline age, body weight, plasma creatinine, alanine transaminase enzyme and CD4+ count were the potential model covariates tested.

Results

The proposed model successfully described plasma albumin concentration changes in the study population. There was a 10.9% and 48.6% increase in albumin production rates in HIV only and TB co-infected participants respectively. Participants co-infected with TB showed a 44.2% lower baseline albumin secretion rate than those without TB while ABCB1c.3435C>T mutation was associated with a 16% higher steady state albumin secretion rate following treatment.

Conclusion

A semi-mechanistic model describes plasma albumin concentration changes in HIV patients on ART. Further work is required to establish the utility of the model in monitoring disease progression and predicting prognosis in HIV and TB co-infected patients in absence of or during treatment.
Conjoint propagation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes in a defined microcarrier spinner culture
Authors: Lam Alan Tin-Lun , Chen Allen Kuan-Liang , Li Jian , Birch William R , Reuveny Shaul , Oh Steve Kah-Weng
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Myocardial infarction is accompanied by a significant loss of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Functional CMs, differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), offer a potentially unlimited cell source for cardiac disease therapies and regenerative cardiovascular medicine. However, conventional production methods on monolayer culture surfaces cannot adequately supply the large numbers of cells required for such treatments. To this end, an integrated microcarrier (MC) bioprocessing system for hESC propagation and subsequent CM differentiation was developed.

Methods

Production of hESC-derived CMs was initially established in monolayer cultures. This control condition was compared against hESC expansion on laminin-coated MC with cationic surface charge, in a stirred serum-free defined culture. Following expansion, the hESC/MC aggregates were placed in a CM differentiation medium, using Wnt signalling modulators in four different culture conditions. This process eliminated the need for manual colony cutting. The final optimized protocol was tested in stirred spinner flasks, combining expansion and differentiation on the same MC, with only media changes during the culture process.

Results

In the propagation phase, a 15-fold expansion of viable pluripotent HES-3 was achieved, with homogeneous sized aggregates of 316 ± 11 μm. Of the four differentiation conditions, stirred spinner flask cultures (MC-Sp) provided the best controlled aggregate sizes and yielded 1.9 × 106 CM/ml, as compared to 0.5 × 106 CM/ml using the monolayer cultures method: a four-fold increase in CM/ml. Similar results (1.3 × 106 CM/ml) were obtained with an alternative hESC H7 line. The hESC/MC-derived CM expressed cardiac-specific transcription factors, structural, ion channel genes, and exhibited cross-striations of sarcomeric proteins, thus confirming their cardiac ontogeny. Moreover, E-4031 (0.3 μM) prolonged the QT-interval duration by 40% and verapamil (3 μM) reduced it by 45%, illustrating the suitability of these CM for pharmacological assays.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated a robust and scalable microcarrier system for generating hESC-derived CM. This platform is enabled by defined microcarrier matrices and it integrates cell propagation and differentiation within a continuous process, in serum-free culture media. It can generate significant numbers of CM, which are potentially suitable for future clinical therapies.
On Aristotle’s Natural Limit
Authors: DesRoches C. Tyler
Published: September 2014

Among scholars of ancient economic thought, it is widely recognized that Aristotle established an upper limit to money-making. This “natural limit” has been variously construed, with some claiming that it might be settled independently of Aristotle’s ethical theory. This essay defends the contrary thesis: Aristotle’s natural limit is inextricably tied to his account of human flourishing. I also argue that, for Aristotle, a human life committed to money-making is incompatible with achieving eudaimonia. Why? For Aristotle, money-making as an end in itself is endemic to the life of pleasure, not the good life. Moreover, the unchecked pursuit of evermore money is likely to crowd out other intrinsically valuable goods, such as friendship, agency, and autonomy. Finally, from the standpoint of Aristotle’s virtue ethics, wealth acquisition beyond the natural limit is considered to be a vice, not a virtue.
Henry Simons’s Death
Authors: Van Horn Robert
Published: September 2014

In spite of disagreement over whether or not Henry Simons committed suicide, no one has written about the circumstances surrounding his death. The purpose of this essay is to draw from archival material—much of which has been recently unearthed—to examine Simons’s death in detail. This essay enriches the debate over the nature of Simons’s death by offering an account that brings together evidence that sheds light on the circumstances surrounding it. This evidence suggests that a grave disappointment Simons faced the day before he died contributed to his death and helps explain why Simons’s colleagues who asserted that he committed suicide waited nearly forty years before doing so. The article concludes by offering an interpretation of the archival evidence.
A review of creatine supplementation in age-related diseases: more than a supplement for athletes
Authors: Smith Rachel N. , Agharkar Amruta S. , Gonzales Eric B.
Published: September 2014

Creatine is an endogenous compound synthesized from arginine, glycine and methionine. This dietary supplement can be acquired from food sources such as meat and fish, along with athlete supplement powders. Since the majority of creatine is stored in skeletal muscle, dietary creatine supplementation has traditionally been important for athletes and bodybuilders to increase the power, strength, and mass of the skeletal muscle. However, new uses for creatine have emerged suggesting that it may be important in preventing or delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. On average, 30% of muscle mass is lost by age 80, while muscular weakness remains a vital cause for loss of independence in the elderly population. In light of these new roles of creatine, the dietary supplement’s usage has been studied to determine its efficacy in treating congestive heart failure, gyrate atrophy, insulin insensitivity, cancer, and high cholesterol. In relation to the brain, creatine has been shown to have antioxidant properties, reduce mental fatigue, protect the brain from neurotoxicity, and improve facets/components of neurological disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. The combination of these benefits has made creatine a leading candidate in the fight against age-related diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, long-term memory impairments associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke. In this review, we explore the normal mechanisms by which creatine is produced and its necessary physiology, while paying special attention to the importance of creatine supplementation in improving diseases and disorders associated with brain aging and outlining the clinical trials involving creatine to treat these diseases.
Conflating Antecedents and Formative Indicators: A Comment on Aguirre-Urreta and Marakas
Authors: Rigdon Edward E. , Becker Jan-Michael , Rai Arun , Ringle Christian M. , Diamantopoulos Adamantios , Karahanna Elena , Straub Detmar W. , Dijkstra Theo K.
Published: September 2014

Aguirre-Urreta and Marakas [Aguirre-Urreta MI, Marakas GM (2014) Research note—Partial least squares and models with formatively specified endogenous constructs: A cautionary note . Inform. Systems Res. 25(4):761–778] aim to evaluate the performance of partial least squares (PLS) path modeling when estimating models with formative endogenous constructs, but their ability to reach valid conclusions is compromised by three major flaws in their research design. First, their population data generation model does not represent “formative measurement” as researchers generally understand that term. Second, their design involves a PLS path model that is misspecified with respect to their population model. Third, although their aim is to estimate a composite-based PLS path model, their design uses simulation data generated via a factor analytic procedure. In consequence of these flaws, Aguirre-Urreta and Marakas' (2014) study does not support valid inference about the behavior of PLS path modeling with respect to endogenous formatively measured constructs.
Heritage entropy and tourist pilgrimage in Brave’s Scotland
Authors: Tzanelli Rodanthi
Published: September 2014

The article explores the production of a cinematic tourist industry connected to Scottish landscapes and heritage with the release of Disney-Pixar’s animated fairy tale Brave (Andrews and Chapman, 2012). It contends that the first ever planned synergy between a creative industry and the country whose traditions and landscapes allegedly inspired the former’s film-making resulted in what is termed ‘heritage entropy’. This state-backed nationalist reinstatement of Scottish identity as a naturalized ‘being in time’, ready to be marketed to global tourists, both drew upon and was inspired by broadcast professional pilgrimages of the Scottish Brave artists and the marketing of Brave holidays to Scotland as a family experience. To illustrate the digital and imagological–auditory nature of heritage entropy, which both naturalizes communities and technologizes their merit so as to present them as ‘civilized’, examples are presented from the websites of Adventures Disney Tours, the industry’s marketing tourist body, and VisitScotland, the country’s tourist organization.
Die Bundesrepublik - in bester Verfassung?
Authors: Simon Helmut
Published: September 2014

The author believes it tobe one ofthe duties Christians have to accept the state ofthe basic Iaw as a matter of their own concern. This acceptance has a character of critical solidarity with an order needy and capable of improvement. It includes the willingness to cooperate in three tasks: the rejection of falsifications and erosions of essential structural elements in constitutional law, the bridging of the gap between constitutional standard and constitutional reality and the further development ofthe constitutional order in a future-oriented way. The fundamental structural principles of the constitution - the principle of democracy, the concept of a state based on the rule oflaw (Rechtsstaat), and the concept of a social welfare state - are used to illustrate these tasks more thoroughly.
K. E. Løgstrup. Dänischer Theologe und Ethiker
Authors: Mortensen Viggo
Published: September 2014

In an introduction to tbe tbeology and moral pbilosopby of tbe Danisb tbinker, K. E. Legstrup (1905-1981), tbe starting point ist taken in bis on pbenomenological basis developed pbilosopby of creation. Tbe vibrant discussion in Denmark in tbe fifties between K. E. Legstrup an N. H. See conceming a specific cbristian etbics is evaluated and it is sbown bow Legstcups etbical tbinking developed in two directions. On tbe one band be expands bis pbilosopby of creation into metapbysical reflections in order to substantiate bis solution to tbe problern of tbe foundations of etbics. On tbe otber band be anticipates a development towards applied etbics.
Ansätze einer Orientierungsethik
Authors: Logsirup Rosemarie
Published: September 2014

(verlaßt von Viggo Mortensen) Although the different ethical phenomena stick together it is vital to evaluate them separately. The paper deals with the following phenomena and aspects of moral philosophy:

(1) The zone of sacrosantity and its place in the emotionallife of huma beings.

(2) The difference between morality and moralisin.

(3) As the sovereign life-manifestiones are spontanous can we contribute to their development?

(4) What are the ideal conditions for the development of specific character traits?

(5) The ethical contrast between good and evil and the contrast between life and death. How are they related to each other in the Christian Gospel?
Zur Problematik des Verantwortungsbegriffes bei Hans Jonas
Authors: Müller Wolfgang Erich
Published: September 2014

In his restitution of metaphysical founded ethics Hans Jonas replied to the challenges of modern technology. His reperception of the immanent teleology of nature tries to prevent the technological overkill. This article shows in opposition to Jonas the impossibility to deduct a moral obligation (>>Prinzip Verantwortung«) from the teleology of nature. Moreover in theological thoughts it is illegitime to talk obout a good nature in which men ought to incorporate themselves.
Die neue Welle Wirtschaftsethik – aus der Sicht der Evangelischen Akademien
Authors: May Hans
Published: September 2014

The Evangelical Academies are a forum to open debate on any matters relating to a furtherance of a responsible approach to future directions in society. The contribution discusses in the author's view in which way, for which reasons and on which sociallevels questions of ethics in economy have occured in the Academie's work. The author proposes to establish interdisciplinary teams developing norms to connect ethics and economy, and points out a nurober of tasks for the future work.
Die politische Willensbildung zur Biotechnologie in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Authors: Thaisen Heinz
Published: September 2014

Up till now decisions about biotechnology as a social project has been made exclusively by natural scientists, government burocracies and by private industry. In the will formation process of political parties, social interests groups and parliaments that is currently beginning a value-conservative consensus concerning human genetics is adumbrating itself. At the same time, however, a liberal laisser-faire attitude toward industrial biotechnology is spreading. The last development threatens to trigger a portentos social conflict as the basic critics pointing to the risks has not been taken into consideration sufficiently. From innovative processies of will formation a broader consensus on biotechnology could emerge. Such a more comprehensive will formation process would be beneficial to political culture as well as to a prudent approach to those technologies.
Ethische Probleme in der Genetischen Beratung
Authors: Hübner Jürgen
Published: September 2014

In the last twenty years, genetic counselling has become a well introduced clinical institution in Germany, established at clinical or human genetic institutes of the universities. There are typical differences in the counselling process before or during gravidity, and there is a need of various ethical reflections and dis'courses with clients and amongst all who are engaged in such situations. Screening programs are in danger to promote automatisms in clinical procedures. New diagnostic techniques raise new problems: Who wants to know deseases that may appear in future and who does not? Is there a right not to know? This is exemplified by Huntington's desease. Patients are also confronted with eugenic options, and this is one of the main topics in the discussion within patient's committees.
Der Protestantismus in der DDR Erfahrungen und Schwierigkeiten auf dem Weg zur Demokratie
Authors: Nowak Kurt
Published: September 2014

The background of the brief analysis is the political turn taken place in the GDR in autumn 1989. The active role of the »basic-groups« and of the protestant churches in it is well-known. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to consider in a critical way the inner connection between protestantism and democracy in Eastern Germany. Not without any reserve the GDR-Protestantism can be looked at a forerunner and representative of democracy. The GDR-Protestantism seems tobe obliged to develop a better understanding of all the elements constituting democracy.
Feministisch von Gott reden?
Authors: Axmacher Elke
Published: September 2014

The study attempts to conduct a fundamental theological discussion with Feminist Theology, a new variety ofLiberation Theology. The basis for this discussion is R. R. Ruether's book Sexism and God- Talk, which can be viewed as the first attempt at a feminist dogmatic theology. The study concludes that the theological foundation of this Christian Feminism is a monistic-pantheistic understanding of God which results in an ethic with distinct totalitarian tendencies
Die Bedeutung des Gewissens für Christen in Kirche und Staat
Authors: Reuter Hans-Richard
Published: September 2014

The demand for a right to military tax refusal aims at the protection from those conflicts of conscience that are resulting from an indirect involvement of the citizen in a state's capability of warfare. This raises the generat question of the relevance of conscience for public law. Normative and functional theories of conscience can only insufficiently explain the experience ofthe human conscience. The protestant concept of a freed conscience includes the possibility, that a Christian takes the responsibility for non-intended effects ofhis actions. In the case of a legal right to refuse military tax, an equal right ought tobe granted to persans whose conscience is worried by other kinds of conflicts. But this would be hardly compatible with the principle of democracy. The burden of conscience of those who refuse military taxes should be taken into account by individual regulations but not regulated by law
Die Verbindlichkeit der Freiheit
Authors: Huber Wolfgang
Published: September 2014

Freedom ist a basic theme oftheological ethics. In protestant theology it is treated in different forms. They can be clarified by the different ways in which freedom is related to the obligatory force (Verbindlichkeit) of ethical decisions. Freedom as obligation, freedom as the only reason for obligation, and historization of all obligations in the name of freedom are the three typical concepts. The discussion on obligation itself entails also three main answers: The obligatory force ofthe given reality, the universal communicability of ethical norms and the sola scriptura are here the three typical concepts. The article pleads for a processual understanding of obligation in Christian ethics and uses as model the ecumenical concept of conciliarity. This concept shows a specific correspondence to the Christian understanding of freedom as communicative freedom.
Max Weber: Wertkollision und christliche Werte
Authors: Tyrell Hartmann
Published: September 2014

The study ofHartmann Tyrell refers to Max Weberand bis specific apprehension ofvalues compared to Simmel and Nietzsche. Tyrell is interested in Weber's view of the relation of different values, which assumes a shape of controversy in modern times. Weber's notion of normative ethics deals with christian values, especially in personal respect. The relation of the Christian to God, precisely: the relation of »Seele« and »Gewissen« towards God is centrat to Weber's idea ofEthics. Weber's »Brüderlichkeitsethik« is seen from a new point of view by Tyrell's research.
Naturrecht und christliche Ethik
Authors: Bubmann Peter
Published: September 2014

In the current discussion about the foundation ofChristian ethics some german Catholic theologians try to renew the naturallaw ethical system by interpreting it as a complex system of human moral rationality. Refering to the thomasian doctrin of the »inclinationes naturales« and integrating the results of the modern human sciences W. Korff wants to analyse the conditions of ethical reasoning. His argumentation is confronted with K. Barths emphatic rejection of any natural law ethics. But Barth bimself does not explainexactly, how living in faith (as obedience to Gods will) relates to »natural« wisdom (and »common sense«). Therefore we suggest to notice the helpful hermeneutical reflections of K. Demmer: He understands the »nature« of man as human cultural product and as the result of a process of selfinterpretation, in which faith takes a fundamental place by defining the basic principles of anthropology. But why should we use the term »naturallaw« (or »natural rights«) instead of "personal" or »human rights«, in order to indicate the basic norms of theological anthropology and ethics?
Gottesbegegnung und Selbstunterscheidung
Authors: Korsch Dietrich
Published: September 2014

Arevision of the 19th century debate and of the actual discussion about a protestant principle shows that the most precise description of that principle might be given by connecting mankind's immediate encounter with God (in Christ) and human self-differentiation. It is argued that this principle is above all of outstanding hermeneutical value, because it opens a series of approaches to self-understanding, bothin the field of christian faith and of christian ethics. Moreover, it relates protestantism with the innumerable multitude of other self-interpretations, in worldwide christianity as weil as in modern multicultural society, and provokes efforts of mutual understanding.
Ideologie und Toleranz im Denken Reinhold Niebuhrs
Authors: Lange Dietz
Published: September 2014

Abstract Reinhold Niebuhr's concept of ideology, a synthesis of the doctrine of sin and sociology of knowledge, denotes any claim to absolute truth with reilsvested interests. Tolerance, its anonym, is based on an acknowledgement of one's own fallibity and need for forgiveness. Niebuhr thus intertwines Luther's two »realms« (modes of God's ruling the world), without mixing them up. His theory is deemed a major contribution to both theology and political science.
Genetik und Menschenwürde
Authors: Schwarke Christian
Published: September 2014

The author describes the debate about human gene therapy in Germany and the USA and discusses some arguments that were put forward against the new technique. Some objektions are often called »emotional«. It is argued that these »emotions« are the quite rational cultural experience that led to the idea of »human dignity« in former centuries.
Friedensethik nach dem Ende des Ost-West-Konflikts
Authors: Reuter Hans-Richard
Published: September 2014

Today the radical as well as the organizing pacifism have become compatible in the engagement for an universal legal system, which is based on the acknowledgement of human rights and a general prohibition of the use of force. The classical doctrines of just war have become obsolete, but their implicit elements concerning moral criticism of violence are indispensable. The author critisizes the misuse of the human rights argument for the justification of military interventionism. A legitimate policy of peace and security has to depend on the development of a collective security system as proposed by the UN-Charter. It cannot be based on traditional military alliances of defence. To intervene in domestic conflicts, if any, peacekeeping operations are qualified, when and as far as they bind themselves to the principles of consensus of all parties concerned, of strict neutrality and of deescalation. There is a special obligation for Germany to restrain herself in military actions and toset an example in developing an international culture of nonviolence.
Das »Natürliche« und die »Moral«
Authors: Wannenwatsch Bernd
Published: September 2014

Having evolved as an ethical top priority issue for the churches within less than a decade, yet »homosexuality« shares in its more recent treatment some of the older debate's perplexities. The lack of distinguishing theologically between »nature« and »creation« lies at the heart of a problematic focus on the question of the coming into being of homosexuality, as well as for a rather uncritical use of the notion of its »irreversibility« as a dogmatic starting point for further argument. lnstead a prior task in terms of ethical judgement yet hardly begun must be to do justice to the varity of personal witness of faith such as how people experience Iiberation, some towards the acceptance of their homosexual orientation and others as a process of change
Wie weit reicht das Lebensinteresse des Einzelnen in der Medizin?
Authors: Kupatt Christian
Published: September 2014

Wolfgang Huber recently reflected on current frontiers in medicine and exemplified the need for ethical boundaries especially in the case of the brain death definition, which appears to him to meet rather medical interests than the needs of human dignity. In contrast, this article describes the complex interdependence of medical innovation and ethical thinking in the development of the brain death definition in the USA. In this case, human dignity seems to be mediated with the individual life interest at specifice intermediate Ievels, which are lying between the basic philosophical and the specific medical sphere. This may have helped to avoid disagreements caused by the various approaches of medical and ethical professionals and laymen.
Schuld und Sühne
Authors: Fischer Johannes
Published: September 2014

The subject ofthe essay is guilt and atonement and conciliation in theological, ethical andjuridical respect. Especially the author examines the relevance of a theological concept of atonement for the criminallaw and judgement.
Leibhaftes Verstehen
Authors: Korsch Dietrich
Published: September 2014

ltending an evaluation of principles guiding psychotherapeutic consulting within the framework of the church, the article reviews Schleiermacher's conception of hermeneutics exposing three theses. (1) The background ofany kind ofunderstanding between psychological individuals is ofreligious determination. (2) Schleiermacher's practical scheme of hermeneutics shows a way how to overcome the always threaening danger of misunderstanding. (3) Psychotherapeutically engaged consulting offered by the church relates the difficulties of (self-)understanding to basically religious insights. By this way it serves human health of the dient in general.
Gewissen und Recht: Ethisch-theologische Aspekte zur Debatte über das Kirchenasyl
Authors: Schlag Themas
Published: September 2014

Since relevant changes in German constitutionallaw concerning the guaranteed right of territorial asylum for political refugees have taken place, a widespread public debate on interpretation and institutional shaping of this fundamental human right can be registered. As a valid part in this debate, efforts from within the Church have been made to instaU a compensation for the diagnosed loss of lawfullness and to point out the present deficiency of the composed constitutional right, fixed in the new article 16 a of the Grundgesetz. These efforts, manifested in the specific form of sanctuary, put on the agenda the general question of the relevance of christian conscience within the public context.Reminding the protestant tradition of the concept of conscience and confronting it with the philosophical concept of recognition, it can be said that from a christian point of view, the engagement in keeping fundamental human rights established, is a constituent part both of christian self-understanding and meaningful existence in society.
»Option für die Armen?« Grenzübergänge der Sozialethik
Authors: Wieland Josef
Published: September 2014

The author examines the religious-political slogan »Option für die Armen« in patterns of oeconomic questions. In his view this slogan doesn't make any sense. Along with the autor offers reflections concerning practical competence of Christian ethics in modern societies.
Vom Umgang mit dem Lebensende
Authors: Maaser Wolfgang
Published: September 2014

In the context of the present debate on brain-death, the author explains how no criterion of death, which is valid once and for all, can be deduced from the Christian understanding of death and resurrection. Nevertheless, a number of anthropological criteria can be identified which could serve as a social-ethical orientation: The interaction of body and soul should not be understood monistically in the sense of a vitalistic or mechanistic concept of life. Institutions and individuals should allow for social comittment and solidarity during the process of dying in order to work against cultural fragmentation and isolation.
Menschenrechte zwischen Universalismus und Relativismus
Authors: Reuter Hans-Richard
Published: September 2014

The universal applicability of human rights outside the circle of European culture is not only a subject of political controversy, but a challenge to political and moral theory, too. The contribution argues with three types of relativistic criticism of human rihgts' universality: ethical particularism, political realism, and cultural contextualism. Defending the intercultural validity of the human rights' concept, the author pleads for a threefold distincion: between the right and the good, between basic and derivative rights, between penultimate reasons of human rights and ultimate foundations to them.
Ökonomische Rationalität und die Integration moderner Gesellschaft
Authors: Wilhelms Günter
Published: September 2014

The author reflects upon the tension between market-economy and modern welfare-state. Against this background he enters into the question on the relation between social ethics and sociological systemtheory. In bis essay the author promotes a twofold perspective: in a critical sensehe examines about the inner normativity of the sociological theory; in a constructive way he makes an normative use of the sociological view. Only in this twofold senseit is possible to discover and develop institutional arrangements, which not only result from the logic of economic rationality but give a link to creative and individual responsibility
Arbeitsmarkt und Sozialstaat – Eine Thesenreihe
Authors: Ruh Hans
Published: September 2014

The essay starts with a strong thesis: the Iimits of labour-society force to renunciation of the aitn at full employment. Instead of this the relation between job-employment and other forms of work and activities have be rearranged. The new arrangement needs a new concept of social basis-security: a new form of citizen-income. The author unfolds a set of proposals to explain his concept.
Beistand im Sterben oder Hilfe zum Sterben Zur Differentialethik medizinischer Betreuungsverfügungen II
Authors: Sass Hans-Martin
Published: September 2014

This paper discusses ethical and theological issues of Sterbehilfe, assistance in the process of dying versus assistance to die, in particular the challenges of comfort care and palliative for the dying. Advance Directives are evaluated as instruments to establish patients preferences, to guide caregivers and physicians, and to honor patient~s values, visions and beliefs. It is recommended that churches and pastors take a lead in addressing these issues and help patients and their families in preparing for and executing Advance Directives, churches also should take a Iead in developing model forms. The appendix contains a sample of an integrated Patientenverfügrung, Advance Medical Directive including a durable power of attomey and a value-based wish-and-directive list, taking the German legal framework into account and based on monotheistic systems of regious orientation.
Religionsfreiheit und Rechtsgüterschutz. Strafrechtliche Aspekte von Sekten
Authors: Bottke Wilfried
Published: September 2014

Religious sects and their practices have become highly topical in the recent past in Germany. The call for criminal sanctions in order to tackle actual or presumed misconduct is becoming louder and louder. The author, a criminal law professor, analyses the present discussion and puts it into a constitutional law perspective. Any civil society that aims to optimise the scope of the personal freedoms of its members must withstand the temptation of creating a special regime of criminal law rules just to combat religious sects and their practices. Criminal law has tobe applied uniformly in the whole society. Therfore, criminal sanctions can only be handed out, when practices infringe intolerably with the individual' s rights protected by the law.
Public Theology: The Moral Dimension of Religion in a Pluralistic Society
Authors: Thiemann Ronald F.
Published: September 2014

Der Autor behandelt die Frage, welche öffentliche Rolle Religion und Theologie unter den kulturellen Bedingungen des Pluralismus spielen können. Zwar muß eine demokratische Gesellschaft, die eine Pluralität von religiösen Bekenntnissen zulassen will, zwischen Politik und Religion eine Trennlinie ziehen. Nach der Überzeugung des Autors kommen aber die Demokratie und ihre öffentlichen Arenen nicht ohne ethische Bindungen aus, auch und gerade solche, die aus religiösen Wertüberzeugungen gespeist werden. Der Autor stellt sein in den USA lebhaft diskutiertes Konzept einer »Öffentlichen Theologie« vor.
Nachhaltigkeit. Methodische Probleme der Wirtschaftsethik
Authors: Lerch Achim , Nutzinger Hans G.
Published: September 2014

After more than a decade of intensive discussion, the concept of »sustainable development still remains rather vague. However, a broad consent exists that sustainability implies intragenerational as well as intergenerational equity. Therefore, a policy for sustainability has to go beyond pareto-superiority and to face both queastions of distribution and of scale. This reveals that at the core of sustainability ethical problems are involved. Although the notion of sustainability cannot be used as a concrete recipe, as Karl Homann correctly observes, it has tobe clarified in ordertobe a useful regulative idea.
Schwangerschaftskonflikte im Zeitalter humangenetischer Diagnostik
Authors: Kuhlmann Helga
Published: September 2014

Prenatal genetic analysis complicates problems of decision-making during pregnancy. After a brief summary of the new situation the article resumes the argumentation within the German feminist and the German church debate. The author proposes some activities for churches and theological arguments to support women's reproductive rights as well as the ebryos' right to live.
Tauschgerechtigkeit im Gesundheitssystem?
Authors: Dabrock Peter
Published: September 2014

This article offers a critical appreciation of a theory of justice puttoward by 0. Höffe. Höffe suggests that commutative justice forms the basis for every understanding of justice, not only in market relationships but also in the legal and social state. Beginning with Räffes' application of his theory to the health system, this article argues that Höffes' theory is not empirically sufficent; nor does it suffice in the discourse of Iegitimation for law and state. Distributive justice can only be excluded as the fundamental justice for legal and state function at the cost of participation and solidarity. The paradigm change for which Höffe calls cannot, therefore, count upon the support of Christian social ethics
Personwürde am Lebensbeginn
Authors: Kreß Hartmut
Published: September 2014

Until the 19th and 20th century, philosophers, theologians, and lawmakers were uncertain at exactly which moment an embryo was to be fully considered a human individual. The modern natural scientists have made clear that an embryo is an individual human being as soon as the egg and the sperm cell have fused. Taking this into account the article discusses current problems of dealing with embryos. It focuses on the ethical problems created by pre-implantation diagnosis and human germline engineering. The author believes that under certain conditions it is ethically justifiable to use preimplantation diagnosis with embryos
Die Würde des gerechtfertigten Menschen
Authors: Anselm Reiner
Published: September 2014

Human dignity is a prominent maxim in the contemporary ethical discussion in bioethics. In this debate the concept of human dignity acts as a warrant for human imperfection and fragility, particulary in the case of incapacitated, demented, or terminal ill persons. In this perspective the common foundations of human dignity, based on autonomy, capacity for rational thought, or man as imago dei, are deficient. As the above paper sketches, human dignity is to explain as a relational category rather than an intrinsic quality of men. In addition to this, such an understanding offers numerous links to the reformational doctrine of justification: The value of humans does not depend on their own faculties
>Starke< oder >schwache< Nachhaltigkeit?
Authors: Münk Hans J.
Published: September 2014

Worldwide implementation of the centrat concept sustainable development has given rise to very different interpretations, some extending to central issues within the field of ecological ethics. This is especially true of the two economic approaches termed >Strong< and >weak< sustainability. With reference to findings from economic and ecological research, this article endeavours to show that the outlined theological ethical basis negates reception of >weak< sustainability, whereas the >strong< sustainability theory merits interdisciplinary consideration through a theologically oriented ethics of sustainable development
Anmerkungen zu Begriff und Funktion einer gesellschaftsrelevanten Ethik
Authors: Walther Christian
Published: September 2014

Social Ethics raised growing interest within the last fife decades ofthe 20th century. Mainly conceived as social criticism and theory of social change as well, this discipline became a major factor particularly in those church circles where ways were sought to express actively and effectively what was called »Christian social responsibility«. In the course of historic developments during recent years, however, it has become questionable of wether or not this concept of Social Ethics still meets what is needed to grant orientation in how to cope with problems that are caused by these developments in society. It therefore seems legitimate to evaluate the given concept of Social Ethics in order to find out to what extend its alteration is indicated. The essay proposes to seek an answer in the direction of conceiving Social Ethics as a shelter of different ethical approaches to scrutinise concrete developments in politics, economy and industry and their impacts on the conditions of living in society
Diakonie als Wissenschaft
Authors: Anselm Reiner
Published: September 2014

»Diakoniewissenschaft« was determined until now in priority by an apologetic interest. Its purposewas before all to demoostrate church's diakonia as an integral component of church actingasweil as theological science. The historic orientation of the previous research corresponded to that. In cantrast to this, the above paper pleads to discard this apologetic schema. It defines »Diakoniewissenschaft« as »applied theology«, as an independent kind of theological science in the different fields of practice. The special feature of the »Diakoniewissenschaft« is the scientific self-reflection of all diaconal activities. It points out religious as weil as theological motives with determine the diaconal practice in the present and the corresponding targets in the future. The articel outlines this type of »diakoniewissenschaftlichen< research at two examples, at the question of the medical ethics and the ekklesiological orientation.
Ornament, Fundament, Argument oder was sonst?
Authors: Heimbach-Steins Marianne , Steins Georg
Published: September 2014

In moral ethics the bible is often used selectively, providing examples of ideal behaviour or serving as a source of motivation. Thus, strictly speaking, one could do without the bible. However, in rediscovering the bible as a canon of a community of faith and practice andin working out a new approach (»canonical approach«), one can redefine the bible's role in ethics: (1) A canonical contextualization is absolutely required for a thorough reference to the bible. (2) The bible presents a complex (»many-voiced«) concept of the world according to God's will, in which God's people holds a key position. (3) The bible provides fundamental ideas for a counter-real interpretation of the world ( openness of the future; reversal of powers).
Verteilungsgerechtigkeit: mehr Effizienz oder mehr Gleichheit?
Authors: Neumärker Karl Justus Bernhard
Published: September 2014

We show when and how the principles of efficiency and equality might come together and develop a fairness compensation test. A simple graphical analysis is applied. If the faimess compensation test fails, efficiency and justice cannot be fully connected and a wedge between econornic and faimess principles remains. We discuss how important this wedge might be and argue that there does not exist a principle of systematic antinomy between efficiency and faimess.
Embryonenschutz und medizinischer Fortschritt
Authors: Körtner Ulrich H.J.
Published: September 2014

For the political, the theological and church discussion about reproductive medicine and genetics in Germany it might be helpful to take a Iook on the situation in other European countries. The above article informs about the discussion in Austria, which has a law of reproductive medicine since 1992. The focus of analysis lies on the legal and moral status of the embryo. It is questionable to argue that an embryo is a person. Concerning the protection of the embryo there are general philosophical reasons but also reasons of theological anthropology which lead to a position of tutiorism. In general a strict protection of the embryo must be granted, but under certain circumstances there are valid reasons for a balance of ethical goods. Detailed questions which are discussed are new indications for in-vitro-fertilization and the ethical issues of preimplantation diagnosis, of research on embryonie stem cells and of therapeutic cloning.
Die Entpersönlichung des Sterbens
Authors: Schmidt-Jortzig Edzard
Published: September 2014

The author, former Minister of Justice in Germany, focuses on problems arising in the codification of ethical decisions concerning assistance in suicide, as it occurs in the Netherlands. He appreciates the precautions taken in Netherlands 's law to prevent abuse of the legalization of certain kinds of euthanasia. He states that the declared intention of a dying person to end his or her own life is to be respected. Campassion and sympathy which finally lead to aiding the moribund person in suicide might be understandable although strictly forbidden. This ends up in a conflict which can not be subject to legal statutes but has tobe a matter of a very serious decision of conscience. Thus, aid in suicide can not be allowed by law in general. The author claims that the focus on everyone's own responsible decision is a genuine position of protestant ethics.
Der Status des menschlichen Embryos
Authors: Schubert Hartwig von
Published: September 2014

Protestant documents conceming the status of the human embryo are empirically founded on biological observations and their interpretation. In Germany the beginning of individual human life is the end of the pre-core-state, the British embryo begins at the end of phase of possible sp1itting into twins. Both argue that the once manifest human embryo carries the full human dignity. As definitions thus no Ionger can plead innocent, additional factors of the argument have to be revealed.
Der Beginn des Lebens
Authors: Utzschneider Helmut
Published: September 2014

The author examines the evidence of biblical, esp. Old Testamenttexts referring to the beginning and the early stages of human life. The biblical evidence suggests a multidimensional view: Biologically human life starts within the womb; socially human life is already in its earliest stages part of the family; theologically the womb is seen as the place where god shapes the personality of human beings (Ps 139:14). From a biblical point of view the beginning of human life in a full sense should not be exclusively restricted to the act and moment of procreation or fertilization.
Wertvolle Freiheit wahrnehmen
Authors: Buhmann Peter
Published: September 2014

In Gennany politicians, scholars of education and joumalists plead for a new attention to ( ethical) values (»Werte«). Butthereis no comrnon sense, that theology should refer to values at all. The author argues (against Eberhard Jüngel and others), that christian freedorn should be transfonned to ethical values, that rneans to (ethical) goods, duties and virtues in order to become a »wertvolle Freiheit« (worthy freedorn). Looking back to the history of educational science, one of the fundamental dirnensions of education always was ethical education. Today such ethical education should concentrate at the practice of the different aspects of christian freedorn: Beginning with the experiences of the gift of freedorn and Iove, freedom needs promising visions of God's kingdom and justice and rnust be trained as cornrnunicating and cooperative freedorn in responsibility for each other. The rnethods of religious education in school and parish should consider all those dirnensions of freedorn. But first of all, the structures of educational institutions have tobe in accordance to those visions of freedorn.
»Sterbehilfe« in den Niederlanden und Belgien
Authors: Jans Jan
Published: September 2014

Recently, both in the Netherlands and in Belgium, legislation has been approved to depenalize »euthanasia «. From the background of a theological perspective and in the light of a justified aspiration for >death with dignity<, this article discusses the critical contributions of the Christian churches to the public and political debate that accompanied these legislative changes. Special attention is devoted to the so-called >requirements of due care<. Finally, some observations are offered for the future, including comments on the frequently invoked notion of >the gift of life<.