The human person concept within personalistic bioethics (Ontologically based personalism)

Bioethics is a science that emerged in the beginning of the 70's in the U.S. by aiming to create a new "connection" between biologic science and values. Bioethics effectively arrived in Brazil in 1995, with the foundation of the Sociedade Brasileira de Bioetica (Brazilian Bioethics Society) and the publication of Decree 196/96 by the National Health Council, which rules over research with human beings in the country. Bioethics presents several models, wherein the Ontologically Based Personalism as created by Elio Sgreccia can be found. This train of thought is based on the human person, i.e. the person needs to be the assessment criteria before a bioethical dilemma. Every human person is a unitotality who is endowed with dignity. It is formed by physical, psychic, social, moral and spiritual dimensions. This model considers that all forms of human life begin upon conception and end up with natural death. This article shows the human person concept referring to the beginning of life on a personalistic bioethics's view. It is necessary that the Brazilian bioethical community become acquainted with the concept of the person as resumed by the Ontologically Based Personalism, by having our own reality as judgment criteria, as well as using this experience of "person" when it is necessary to take decisions in regard to life.