Russian school of bioethics: a quarter of a century of development

The article presents the reasons for the emergence and development of bioethics as a scientific direction in the world and in our country. In the end of 21st century, humanity faced the complex of global problems solving which affected its survival nowadays: these are the problems of peaceful coexistence of states and peoples, environmental security, demography, health and quality of life connected to health. The science of bioethics which appeared in 1970s started their discussion, understanding and finding solutions, using interdisciplinary approach, involving the general public and seeking political solutions. At the origins of bioethics stood the American biochemist V.R. Potter and doctor A. Hellegers, and a German pastor Fritz Jahr. Boris Grigorievich Yudin can be considered the founder of the Russian school of bioethics, who defined objectives, tasks, basic science perspective in the light of national and regional peculiarities and modalities and founded the platform for discussions. The development of bioethics in our country was multicentered: it is possible to distinguish Moscow, Volgograd and Kazan centers of science development, each of which has its own outstanding terms of reference. The article presents the authors' view of contribution of the brightest representatives developing bioethics in our country, and role of certain scientific and educational centers.