El cine en la creación de una ética para la profesión médica: Las normas de la casa de la sidra

this paper aims for a reinterpretation of the cider house rules, the film based on the homonymous script and novel by the american writer john irving (1942-). beginning with a bibliographical revision and the basic agreement upon the increasing importance of cinema for medical education, i describe and reflect upon the vision of medicine proposed by these works of art. i argue that the basic theme in the film is not the controversial issue of abortion, but the issue of how medical knowledge and ethics are transferred in the 20th century. this hypothesis is explored by means of an analysis of the main characters in the film, using a philosophical method by which the film is interpreted according to the history and concepts of bioethics. i conclude that the main challenge for contemporary bioethics lies in how to use all existing means in order to correct the movement from paternalist to autonomy-based models in medical practice, with the goal of recreating beneficence in a balanced way, consistent with patient rights and professional responsibility.