Abstract:The call to decolonize bioethics has gained increasing attention across academic discourse, yet the term “decolonization” often remains vague and lacks a clear normative framework. In this article, I will offer a normative account of what decolonizing bioethics entails, with particular attention to the Asian context. Instead of dismissing existing concepts, many of which are shaped by Western traditions, I will argue for a framework of contextual universality. This approach encourages a critical rethinking of how bioethical principles are interpreted and applied across culturally diverse settings. Drawing on discussions from key contributions in bioethics, this article will propose contextual universality as a model that holds onto core bioethical principles while being attuned to local moral traditions and social conditions. This framework aims to resist both the uncritical adoption of Western frameworks and the relativistic tendencies that may erode ethical consistency. The goal is to offer a principled form of ethical pluralism that avoids double standards while remaining open to contextual variation. By clarifying what is meant by decolonization in the field of bioethics and suggesting a direction for how it can be pursued, this article contributes to building a more inclusive and globally grounded ethical discourse. Its aim is not to divide or dilute bioethics, but to deepen its commitment to universality by connecting it more fully to the lived realities and philosophical traditions of communities in Asia.
Keywords: Bioethics, Decolonization, Global South, Contextual Ethics, Normative Bioethics
