Jang-Young Lee is a multidisciplinary researcher dedicated to exploring the ethical implications of the interplay between medicine, individuals, and society. His research aims to contribute to the ethical responsibility and social acceptability of medical and technological advancements.
His primary research interests include research ethics, particularly the ethical and regulatory challenges in human subject research, the implications of introducing advanced technologies in the medical field, and the integration of Christian ethics into contemporary medical practice. In interdisciplinary research, he presented on the legitimacy and applicability of AI usage in the hospice field before the announcement of ChatGPT and recently discussed distributive justice concerning risks arising from ultramodern technologies such as big data.
Although raised in a non-Christian family, after a personal encounter with Jesus, he has been contemplating the role of Christian ethics in a secular-pluralistic society. At CBHD, he plans to explore Christian research ethics by extending Edmund Pellegrino's philosophy of medicine (physician-patient relationship) to the researcher-subject/society dynamics of ultramodern technology. His theological background is rooted in Reformed theology.
He earned a Bachelor's and M.Div. degree in Theology from Chongshin University and is currently a doctoral candidate in medical law and ethics at Yonsei University Graduate School. He serves in the IRB/HRPP, educational committee, and management department at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, the largest traditional medical institution in Korea.
During my master's studies, I explored the ethical implications of xenotransplantation, which led me to develop a keen interest in the research ethics surrounding the integration of advanced scientific technologies into clinical practice. Research ethics is not merely a concern exclusive to researchers; rather, it has evolved into a critical component of "civic ethics," influencing societal discourse, decision-making, and consensus on how emerging technologies should be understood and adopted.
A compelling illustration of this dynamic is the debate surrounding the necessity of Human Challenge Trials (HCTs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research method, which involves the deliberate infection of healthy participants to expedite vaccine development, offers the advantage of generating valuable clinical data with remarkable efficiency. However, it has also sparked considerable ethical and human rights concerns. The divergence in perspectives—between those who emphasize the public health benefits of rapid vaccine development and those who highlight the ethical risks associated with such trials—reflects the broader societal frameworks through which we interpret and evaluate scientific advancements.
Ultimately, research ethics extends beyond a mere regulatory framework; it serves as a lens through which we critically assess the values our society upholds and the directions in which we choose to advance science and technology. For this reason, I hold a profound interest in research ethics, as I believe it functions as a pivotal guidepost in shaping the future of medicine and technological innovation.
Driven by a deep intellectual curiosity, I aspire to become an interdisciplinary scholar who ensures that emerging technologies advance in ways that align with Christian ethical principles. While technological advancements continue at an unprecedented pace, the ethical and philosophical frameworks guiding their application have not evolved at the same rate, creating an ever-widening gap between innovation and moral responsibility.
This is why I have been actively engaging in the study of computer science, as I recognize the urgent need for interdisciplinary scholars who can integrate a Christian ethical perspective into the era of big data and artificial intelligence.
To fulfill this interdisciplinary role, I aspire to contribute in three key areas: (1) as a philosopher of information, examining the philosophical foundations of artificial intelligence and other computational sciences; (2) as a policy advisor, advocating for ethical frameworks that integrate Christian perspectives into emerging technologies; and (3) as a scholar in Christian medical ethics, addressing the complex ethical challenges in biotechnology and healthcare. Through these efforts, I hope to bridge the growing gap between technological innovation and ethical discourse, ensuring that advancements in science and medicine serve humanity in a manner that is both morally responsible and spiritually grounded.
South Korea has a unique medical system where traditional medicine, rooted in Eastern practices, coexists with modern Western medicine introduced by American missionaries. While Korean medicine has reached world-class standards in terms of knowledge and technical expertise, the ethical and moral dimensions of medical practice remain an area of concern. Despite the significant role that American missionaries and Christianity have played in shaping the ethical foundations of Korean medicine, Christian medical ethics have not been adequately contextualized within Korea’s cultural and historical landscape.
During my internship at CBHD, I plan to examine the ethical philosophy of Edmund Pellegrino, whose ideas have profoundly shaped medical ethics in the United States, and explore ways to integrate his principles into the Korean medical system. Specifically, I aim to investigate how Pellegrino’s foundational concept of the physician-patient relationship can be applied to the researcher-subject dynamic, particularly in the context of biomedical research ethics.
By drawing on the historical trajectory of Christian medical ethics in the United States, I hope to facilitate a deeper engagement with these ethical principles in the Korean medical context and contribute to the establishment of a contemporary, contextually relevant medical ethics framework.
While my academic background is in theology, my experience in medical ethics and clinical research education revealed significant gaps in the practical application and contextualization of Christian ethics within these fields. As a researcher engaged in bioethics and interdisciplinary studies, I am particularly drawn to CBHD’s rigorous academic engagement with ethical challenges in modern medicine, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Contemporary clinical research ethics often prioritize regulatory compliance over deeper ethical reflection. In contrast, CBHD takes a more holistic approach by addressing the broader philosophical and theological dimensions of bioethics while remaining committed to upholding human dignity. This nuanced and multidimensional perspective aligns closely with my research interests.
Through my engagement with CBHD, I aim to build meaningful networks with Christian ethics scholars and explore how Christian bioethics can be practically integrated into clinical research beyond theoretical discourse. Furthermore, I hope to facilitate academic and ethical dialogue between American and Korean Christian bioethics communities, fostering a more globally connected framework for ethical decision-making in medicine and biotechnology. Given CBHD’s long-standing leadership in advancing bioethical discourse from an evangelical perspective, I am eager to contribute to and learn from this vital academic and ethical exchange.