Introduction

Medical Sociology in Africa

“…It is not uncommon for non-secular critique to regard cloning as "playing God" or embryonic research as "playing with human lives," since embryos are regarded as humans. There are cultural differences in the explanation and attitude towards issues such as disclosures of terminal diagnosis, reproductive technology, child adoption, SCR, therapeutic cloning, organ transplantations, and euthanasia (Rehmann-Sutter et al 2006). The preoccupation of this aspect is the examination of cultural context in the production of morality, especially in terms of what is permitted, prescribed, and proscribed, and the (cultural) rationalisation behind the morality.…”

“…While abortion, homosexuality, and artificial insemination by donor have been normalised in many western cultures, they are still seen as moral problems in many African cultures. This is why Rehmann-Sutter et al (2006) further noted that biomedical developments carry with them social and cultural meanings that must be taken into account in order to understand and resolve bioethical dilemmas. Apart from making relevant contributions in other aspects of bioethics, social science especially, sociology and anthropology are particularly relevant in this aspect.…”