Bioethics
the moral principles that guide good behaviour in the fields of biology, research, medicine and biotech
Bioethical approaches
1) virtue-based
2) consequence based
3) duty based
virtue based
focuses on the moral and good values. It basically means to be a good person.
consequence based
focuses on the end outcomes and trying to reach the best and most benefiecal end results
duty based
purely focuses on rules and guidlines regardless of the consequences
Bioethical concepts
Integrity, non-malefiecence, benefiecence, respect, justice
Integrity
This principle promotes honesty
in communication and includes acknowledging all sources of information in order to make sure key
stakeholders, including the public, have all information to make an informed decision.
Justice
The principle of justice is at the centre of ethical debates on the intersection of medicine
and economics. In an ideal world, there would be equal access to all people for treatment, with a fair
distribution of resources. However, economic pressure or failings in a healthcare system often mean this
does not occur. The principle of justice considers how resources should be distributed.
non-malefiecence
It says that risks, burdens and damage that may be associated with medical treatment must
be minimised, and to avoid unnecessary or unjustifiable harm.
benefiecence
focuses on maximising the benefits for all the affected parties
respect
This principle calls for respect of the self-determination of
individuals; that is, people should be free to make their own choices, without external pressure to reach
another person’s goals.
social factors
Social factors are those that influence society as a
whole, affecting the lifestyles of many individuals in
a population.
economic factors
Economic factors are those related to the
economy and the market.
legal factors
Legal factors are directly related to the law, and what is deemed to be a legal or
an illegal action rather than being right or wrong. The law provides a scaffold
through which ethical decisions can be made.
political factors
political factors factors that are
related to the actions of government
