RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evolutionary ethics: can values change JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 366 OP 370 DO 10.1136/jme.2002.003582 VO 30 IS 4 A1 K C Calman YR 2004 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/30/4/366.abstract AB The hypothesis that values change and evolve is examined by this paper. The discussion is based on a series of examples where, over a period of a few decades, new ethical issues have arisen and values have changed. From this analysis it is suggested that there are a series of core values around which most people would agree. These are unlikely to change over long time periods. There are then a series of secondary or derived values around which there is much more controversy and within which differences of view occur. Such changes need to be documented if we are to understand the process involved in the evolution of differences in ethical views.