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Oxford University Chabad Society inaugurates new annual lecture in Jewish medical ethics

Wednesday, 6 June, 2012 - 8:30 pm

Posted by Rabbi Eli Brackman


Sevel lecture.JPGThe Oxford University Chabad Society inaugurated this week a new annual lecture, entitled the “Professor David Sevel Memorial Lecture in Jewish Medical Ethics” dedicated in memory of Oxford Jewish leading ophthalmologist, Professor David Sevel, who passed away in 2006.

 

The annual lecture has been dedicated by the Sevel family of California and was delivered by renowned expert on Jewish medical ethics, Professor Shimon Glick, former dean of the Ben Gurion University Faculty of Health Sciences., and former head of the Lord Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits Center for Jewish Medical Ethics at the institution . He also served for over a decade as Ombudsman for Israel's National Health Service.

 

The lecture entitled “Bioethics: historic roots and current directions” served as a critique on the limits of currently widely accepted principles of medical ethics taught at medical schools around the world that include the four principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance and justice. Professor Glick argued forcefully that the foundation of medical ethics as a system cannot be based only on biology or philosophy. The horrors of the Nazi period must serve us as an object lesson. He suggested that the principles must include also the principle of “sanctity of human life”, which has served the medical profession in good stead for centuries.

 

He pointed out that this additional principle, rooted in Judaic values and the conscience of human history could stem the slippery slide in society towards the alarmingly growing rates of abortions, increase of views supporting infanticide of defective  children, neglect of the elderly and increased support for active euthanasia

 

The memorial lecture was delivered in the presence of Mr. Charl Sevel, son of Professor David Sevel, who introduced the speaker on behalf of the family.

 

Professor David Sevel, MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCO, was an internationally recognised ophthalmologist and medical researcher whose research had made him a pioneer in modern day ophthalmology. His work in embryonic ophthalmic pathology, treatment of ocular muscle abnormalities, and ocular plastic surgery has helped advance the field of ophthalmology profoundly, and has been recognised by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in England and is reflected by the various prestigious honours and scholarships awarded to him throughout his lifetime.

 

Comments on: Oxford University Chabad Society inaugurates new annual lecture in Jewish medical ethics
3/1/2013

Ailton wrote...

(9/20/12 6:08 PM)"... Brazilians (287,000)..."The "Brazilian" immigrants to Japan are motsly, probably overwhelmingly, ethnic Japanese whose forebears had earlier migrated to Brazil.Even they have proved culturally difficult to integrate and being encouraged to return. Yes, I lived in Japan for a while and have many Japanese friends.Japanese who have grown up abroad are not considered "real Japanese" by many Japanese (even if they are 100% Japanese genetically... both parents being Japanese). They are talked about and unofficially discriminated against by companies who hire new employees. It's kind of weird in a way, and the Japanese even have a special word for these people (the Japanese who grew up abroad) which I have forgotten.In fact, merely spending a substantial period of time during your early youth can get you put into this group. Hence, many Japanese executives who are overseas worry that their children might land into this group and have diminished career prospects in Japan. If there are a number of them in an area abroad they will start an all Japanese elementary school to soak their children in Japanese language and culture to try to avoid this problem.Regarding Chinese and Koreans, most Japanese regard them with not so slight contempt (messy, dirty, untrustworthy, etc ..) Probably the same way many Whites view NAMS overall. Though I have noticed recently that the financial success of China and Korea has earned them some grudging respect from the Japanese friends I still speak with.On the other hand, if you are a high achieving White and/or a handsome White (or both optimally) you will have no shortage of Japanese ladies who want to marry you (the yellow fever goes both ways and is even worse in places like Hong Kong or Shanghai where the women will simply go gaga over you). But if you are NAM who is not White (i.e. Hispanic or Black) you are lower than the Chinese or Koreans in their eyes of most Japanese by a country mile. Koreans and Chinese also hold this view and are very upset about the miniscule thimble full levels of African immigrants in their county . The Asians, overall, view Blacks and Browns, about the same way Whites in the U.S do who are not indoctrinated with SWPL cultural Marxist philosophy (to be avoided or given a wide birth if possible). Maybe even worse.The Japanese (and China and Korea too to an extent) don't have any problem accepting and incorporating what they think is the best from other cultures (including potential superior or of at least equal quality White genetic material in their view).I know, it sounds like Heaven for a handome White guy.It was (is?).But I still like the European ladies best of all.