ABSTRACT
As in other fields of applied ethics, also in biomedical ethics often an interesting paradox can be seen. On the one hand the importance of a multidisciplinary or even interdisciplinary approach will be stressed; in biomedical ethics that means especially the collaboration between biomedical scientists, medical practicians and ethicists. On the other hand, however, in discussions on ethical aspects of biomedical developments, one very often gets the impression of an antagonism between the two parties in this multidisciplinary collaboration: exceptions excluded, the scientists and medical practicians will generally be in favour of the application and development of new technologies, whereas – to put it shorthand – the ethicists usually will point to the risks and the costs and be inclined to put strict limits to the development and application of the technology.
