Morals
Way of distinguishing between good and bad
Relate to society’s or an individual’s personal code of right and wrong
Ethics
A way of thinking about how to decide between right and wrong
Branch of philosophy
Professional Ethics for UK vets
Code of conduct (against which behaviour of an individual professional is judged) made by RCVS
Legally binding
Consequentialism
Consequences justify the means
Includes utilitarianism and egoism
Utilitarianism
Greatest good to the greatest number
Every act judged by outcome (‘utility’) rather than having an intrinsic worth
Egoism
Happiness of individual is paramount so act resulting in individual benefit will be ‘good’
Good end result can justify short term suffering
Problems with consequentialism
- Outcome not always known at the start including long term consequences
- Can’t predict consequences of other peoples actions on our own
- Consequences may be out of our control
- Difficult to be consistent with cost benefit analysis
Hard to apply population considerations to individual cases
Deontological ethics
Ends do not justify means
Acts only right if in accordance with moral rule/principle
Would be immoral to allow the suffering of an anaesthetic free surgery even for long term benefit (NB: suffering is not the issue it is immoral to allow the suffering)
Prohibited offences in animal welfare act 2006
1) Knowingly causing ‘unnecessary suffering’ e.g mutilation, docking tails, administration of poisons and animal fighting
2) Welfare offences for failing to provide adequate care for an animal (e.g neglect)
Codes of conduct under the act not legally binding but taken into account in court: defines the legal responsibilities of the owner
Mutilation
interference with sensitive tissue or bone structure of an animal
Suffering
Physical or mental suffering or related expressions
Unethical procedures: run contrary to one or more of the 5 freedoms
- Docking dog tails without due cause
- Cropping dog’s ears
- Canine surgical artificial insemination
- Insertion of prosthetic testicles
- Feline renal transplantation procedures (BUT: reviewed by RCVS in 2016 and now can be conducted at approved centres; changed from previously deontological position on it)
- De-vocalising cats
- De-clawing cats
- Unlawful medical operations on fighting dogs
- Firing horses; not allowed if there is a clear medical reason for treatment (but there isn’t really)
Principilism; 4 moral principles
1) Autonomy
2) Beneficence
3) Non-maleficence
4) Justice
RCVS principles of practice
- Professional competence
- Honesty and integrity
- Independence and impartiality
- Client confidentiality and trust
- Professional accountability
Professional misconduct examples
- Unethical behaviour
- Compromising animal welfare/cruelty
- Dishonesty
- Disregarding client’s instruction without good reason
Disciplinary matters for RCVS
- Serious professional misconduct e.g incapacity through drugs/alcohol
- Fraud
- Criminal convictions (even if unrelated; conduct that falls far short of what which is expected in the profession and bring profession into disrepute)
5 Freedoms
Freedom from Hunger and Thirst Freedom from Discomfort Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease Freedom to Express Normal Behavior Freedom from Fear and Distress.
