Ethics is a term used to describe the ways in which we understand the moral life. Morality comprises the norms for human conduct, what is right and what is wrong. As well as standards of conduct, it includes obligations, recommendations, rights and virtues. Some are widely held throughout humanity, such as prohibitions against killing, causing harm to others, stealing and falsehood. Others are specific to the community to which we belong and may not only differ between communities, but what is permitted or even virtuous in one may be forbidden or sinful in another. Many of the moral and ethical concepts surrounding life, death, organ donation, abortion and many other issues have been widely debated. Sexuality and sexual behaviour have been less well-explored, particularly in a wider public arena, because of their particular sensitivity, and their connection to a range of widely-differing socio-cultural and religious mores.

In an increasingly complex world, developments in healthcare technology and international communications compel us look very carefully at our assumptions as to what is ethical thought and action, the essence of “doing right” and “not doing wrong”. It is all too easy to for us to universalise our own worldview and to make moral and ethical judgements about the beliefs and actions of others with a differing moral and ethical system, even though their system is just as firmly based in their different worldview. Although the worldʼs major religious and socio-cultural traditions have far more in common than they have to divide them, there is no “universal” system of morality and ethics. Health professionals, as citizens of the world, must reflect on that fact and respect (even if they must disagree) with the sincerely-held views of others; this has implications for their practice, particularly within a multicultural society.

The presenter does not attempt to present a “universal” framework of ethics for sexual medicine. Indeed, this is probably an impossible task. However, the presenter will try and identify areas where those from different traditions can agree and increase our understanding of why, in other areas, we cannot agree, and suggest a model that can be used to analyse and document ethical dilemmas in a useful and practical way.