Kryzys debaty publicznej na przykładzie debaty bioetycznej

Both in scientific literature and journalism, there is the thesis about the low quality of the Polish bioethical debate. In support of this statement, the form of media and political discussions on the subject of the conscience clause, specific borderline situations (eg in the cases of Alfie Evans, "Pole from Plymouth") or the legal regulation of termination of pregnancy are cited. Ignacy Dudkiewicz in the chapter The crisis of public debate on the example of bioethical debate attempts to organize the diagnosis of the state of Polish bioethical debate and reflects on further methods of its research and the relationship between the state of bioethical debate and public debate in general. He argues that the understanding of the problems related to the quality of the Polish bioethical debate can help for a better understanding also of the problems relating to the public debate in general, and that an appropriate field for further scientific considerations on increasing the quality of both, may be the concept of deliberative democracy. The chapter includes, firstly, a justification why reflection on the quality of the bioethical debate is needed – due to its semi-nature, the importance of the issues it concerns and the prevalence of the discussion. Secondly, identifying the specificity of the bioethical debate in relation to the public debate in general. Thirdly, an outline of a critical diagnosis of the state of bioethical discussion on the basis of the available literature along with the justification and indication of its numerous weaknesses – both those specific to the bioethical debate and those of a general nature concerning the entire public debate. Fourthly and finally: proposals for further research activities – making an in-depth diagnosis on the example of the discussion on the conscience clause and reflection on whether a deliberative democracy could create conditions for increasing the quality of the bioethical debate, and thus also for enacting better law in bioethical matters, taking into account the worldview differentiation of a democratic society and the rule of law.