Résumés
Abstract
Professional bioethicists have gained increasing acceptance in the healthcare and academic communities of the United States over the last 50 years. However, since the current administration took office in January 2025, questions concerning the appropriate role of bioethicists in preserving the values and ethics of healthcare and academic institutions have abounded. I argue that the usual tripartite characterization of service, scholarship and education still apply but how we interpret those roles and their relative importance has changed. While our established role of influencers of institutional policies remains important, the climate of fear-induced silence challenges us to emphasize our prophetic voice in calling the healthcare professions and institutions to remain faithful to their fundamental values. Furthermore, I recommend a renewed emphasis on basic education of professionals to solidify their formation.
Keywords:
- academic freedom,
- DEI,
- fear,
- influencer,
- immigration,
- professionalism,
- retaliation
Résumé
Au cours des 50 dernières années, les bioéthiciens professionnels ont été de plus en plus acceptés dans les milieux médicaux et universitaires aux États-Unis. Cependant, depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir de l’administration actuelle en janvier 2025, les questions concernant le rôle approprié des bioéthiciens dans la préservation des valeurs et de l’éthique des établissements médicaux et universitaires se sont multipliées. Je soutiens que la caractérisation tripartite habituelle du service, de la recherche et de l’éducation reste valable, mais que notre interprétation de ces rôles et de leur importance relative a changé. Si notre rôle établi d’influenceurs des politiques institutionnelles reste important, le climat de silence induit par la peur nous oblige à mettre l’accent sur notre voix prophétique pour appeler les professions et les institutions de santé à rester fidèles à leurs valeurs fondamentales. En outre, je recommande de mettre à nouveau l’accent sur l’éducation de base des professionnels afin de consolider leur formation.
Mots-clés :
- liberté académique,
- EDI,
- peur,
- influenceur,
- immigration,
- professionnalisme,
- représailles
Parties annexes
Bibliography
- 1. Kuczewski M. Doing what we do well: how bioethicists can assist in promoting racial justice American Journal of Bioethics. 2024;24(10):15-7.
- 2. Kuczewski M. Supporting patients and students who are immigrants: what to do and why most bioethicists won’t do it. The Hastings Center. 7 Feb 2025.
- 3. Veith I. Medical ethics throughout the ages. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1957;100(3):504.
- 4. Kuczewski MG, Goodman KW. Bioethicists and health care institutions must act against Florida’s anti-immigrant law. The Hastings Center. 24 May 2023.
- 5. Association of Bioethics Program Directors. ABPD Guidance on Required Questioning of Immigration Status in Healthcare. 18 Jun 2023.
- 6. Kuczewski M, Saadi A. Medicine must plan to protect immigrant patients and their families: with an election looming, the time is now. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2025;185(2):139-40.
- 7. Society of General Internal Medicine. Opposition to Reporting Immigration Status for Persons Accessing Medical Care Position Statement. Nov 2023.
- 8. Chatlani S. Need to go to the hospital? Texas and Florida want to know your immigration status. Stateline. 3 Oct 2024.
- 9. Winters MS. 50 years ago, we lost a great American and a genuine Christian prophet. National Catholic Reporter. 4 Apr 2018.
- 10. Jecker NS, Caplan A, Vardit Ravitsky, et al. Bioethicists must push back against assaults on diversity, equity, and inclusion. American Journal of Bioethics. 2025;25(8):5-11.
- 11. Garrett L. Vance defends spreading claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets. NPR. 15 Sept 2024.

