Michael W. Fox, D.Sc., Ph.D.,
B. Vet. Med., MRCVS
Holistic Health Care and Bioethics
Good farmers still 'husband' the land, crops and animals, adhering to the old
teaching: "Care for the land and the land will take care of you." This teaching,
which is the bioethical basis for a just, sustainable community and for a sane
society goes back to pre-agricultural times--to the long epoch of the
gatherer-hunters, like the jungle Kurumba tribals of the Nilgiris, South India. They
say: "Respect and care for the forest and the forest will respect and care for
you." In modern parlance, we say what's good for the Earth is good for us
because when we harm the Earth we ultimately harm ourselves, as we also do
when we violate the Golden Rule by not treating other living beings as we would
have them treat us.
I see this moral imperative of Earthcare as a universal and absolute bioethical
principle that is put in practice through reverential respect, humanity, empirical
knowledge and empathic, intuitive understanding. Such is the ethical and
sensible way of organic and humane farming; the same way that made the hunt
sacred, not out of guilt or shame, but out of thanksgiving and gratitude.
Earthcare is therefore one of the beatitudes of a humane, caring and loving
community. It is also integral to achieving holistic health care: Healthcare =
Peoplecare and Animalcare and Earthcare. The health and wealth of the
people (Peoplecare) is dependent upon a healthy environment (Earthcare) and
upon the healthy wild and domestic animal population (Animalcare). The
essence of holistic health care, therefore, is to give equal and just consideration
to human interests, animal rights, environmental ethics and the greater good.
All governments and major teaching institutions, respectively, should have
ministries and departments, and ministers and deans, of Holistic Healthcare
and Bioethics, that address and restore the linkages of animal, human and
environmental health and bring ethics to life.
For more information visit Michael W Fox
B. Vet. Med., MRCVS
Holistic Health Care and Bioethics
Good farmers still 'husband' the land, crops and animals, adhering to the old
teaching: "Care for the land and the land will take care of you." This teaching,
which is the bioethical basis for a just, sustainable community and for a sane
society goes back to pre-agricultural times--to the long epoch of the
gatherer-hunters, like the jungle Kurumba tribals of the Nilgiris, South India. They
say: "Respect and care for the forest and the forest will respect and care for
you." In modern parlance, we say what's good for the Earth is good for us
because when we harm the Earth we ultimately harm ourselves, as we also do
when we violate the Golden Rule by not treating other living beings as we would
have them treat us.
I see this moral imperative of Earthcare as a universal and absolute bioethical
principle that is put in practice through reverential respect, humanity, empirical
knowledge and empathic, intuitive understanding. Such is the ethical and
sensible way of organic and humane farming; the same way that made the hunt
sacred, not out of guilt or shame, but out of thanksgiving and gratitude.
Earthcare is therefore one of the beatitudes of a humane, caring and loving
community. It is also integral to achieving holistic health care: Healthcare =
Peoplecare and Animalcare and Earthcare. The health and wealth of the
people (Peoplecare) is dependent upon a healthy environment (Earthcare) and
upon the healthy wild and domestic animal population (Animalcare). The
essence of holistic health care, therefore, is to give equal and just consideration
to human interests, animal rights, environmental ethics and the greater good.
All governments and major teaching institutions, respectively, should have
ministries and departments, and ministers and deans, of Holistic Healthcare
and Bioethics, that address and restore the linkages of animal, human and
environmental health and bring ethics to life.
For more information visit Michael W Fox
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
