The philosophical foundations of modern bioengineering

Ahmed Shogar, Ibrahim Adam and Abdul Rahman, Suzanah (2016) The philosophical foundations of modern bioengineering. In: 4th International Conference on Biotechnology Engineering (ICBioE ‘16), 25th-27th July 2016, Kuala Lumpur.

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Abstract

This paper investigates the philosophical foundations of modern bioengineering to articulate its ethical framework. Engineering as an ultimate mechanism to transform knowledge into practice is essential for both physical and biological sciences. It reduces data, concepts, and designs to pictorial forms. The integration of engineering with the newly emerging biosciences, has presented a unique opportunity to overcome the major challenges that face the environmental and human health. To harness potentials of bioengineering and establish a sustainable foundation for green technology, modern scientists and engineers need to be acquainted with the normative questions of science. In addition to acquiring the general principles of scientific research and identifying the intrinsic goals of the endeavour, philosophy of bioengineering exposes bioengineers to both the descriptive ‘how’ questions of the physical world as well as the normative ‘why’ questions of values. Such an interdisciplinary approach is significant, not only for inspiring to acquire the genuine knowledge of the existing world, but also to expose the bioengineers to their ethical and social responsibilities. Besides introducing the conceptual framework of bioengineering, this paper has investigated the three major philosophies that have been dominating the theoretical presuppositions of scientific research method in history. Namely, (i) Systems biology approach; (ii) Evolutionary biology approach; and (iii) Mechanical view approach. To establish the ethical foundation of modern bioengineering, the paper, also conducted an analytical study on various branches of the emerging discipline of bioscience. The paper has concluded that adopting the interdisciplinary approach in research and education is essential to harness potentials of bioengineering and establish foundations of green technology. To achieve the final objectives of bioengineering, both the practical and theoretical knowledge of values must be acquired. The former is essential for invasion and innovation; meanwhile the later exposes bioengineers to the integrated discipline of knowledge and values.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Plenary Papers)
Additional Information:	4594/51528
Uncontrolled Keywords:	interdisciplinary approach, bioengineering, systems biology, physical sciences, evolution theory, bioethics, Newton
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science
Depositing User:	Assoc.Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shogar
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2016 09:48
Last Modified:	09 Aug 2016 09:48
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/51528

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