BIOETHICS

by.: Maria B. Jocelyn RN, MAN

Learning Objectives:
1.Define

common terms and principles of

modern bioethics.
2.Discuss
why bioethics needs to be
integrated through conscious design in
order for the health care provider to deliver
ethical care.
3.Appreciate the importance of ethics in
modern medicine in todays culturally
diverse health care environment

As a practical science
Deals with a systematized body of
knowledge that can be used, practiced and
applied to human action
Considers the usefulness, practicality and
application of human knowledge to ones
experience, as distinguished from
theoretical knowledge, which is simply
interested in truth for its own sake,
without any bearing on action and
experience

As a normative science

Establishes norms or standards for the

direction and regulation of human actions.

As based on reason

Investigates the facts, analyzes them

and draws out practical applications to
particular actions.
Does not subscribe or rely on divine
revelation for final answers or
resolutions of certain moral issues.

Morality
Morality is what people believe
to be right and good, while
ethics is a critical reflection
about morality.

Law
Laws are brought about by tension,
agitation and conflict by dramatic
situations.
Laws are societal rules or
regulations that are obligatory to
observe.

Comparing Law and Ethics

Law, ethics, and bioethics are different but
related concepts.
Laws are mandatory to which all citizens
must adhere or risk civil or criminal liability.
Ethics relate to morals and help us
organize
complex
information
and
competing values and interests to formulate
consistent and coherent decisions.

BIOLOGY

It is a branch of knowledge that deals

with living organisms and vital processes

HEALTH ETHICS

It is a science that deals with the study

of the morality of human conduct
concerning health and health care which
pertains to medical services, nursing
care and all other types of health
services given by health practitioners
who engage in any duly recognized form
of health care practice.

BIOETHICS bios (greek)= life

First used by biologist Van

Rensselaer Potter referring to a
new field devoted to human survival
and an improved quality of life.
It is the science that deals with
the study of the morality of human
conduct concerning human life in all
its aspects from the moment of its
conception to its natural end.

It is that branch of applied ethics

which investigates practices and
developments in the life sciences
and/or biomedical fields
Deals with life, health and death that
have resulted from modern biological
technology (e.g., biomedical engineering
and genetic therapy), particularly the
way they have affected human values

DISTINCTION
DISTINCTION
RELATIONSHIP
(BIOETHICS)
(HEALTH ETHICS)
BIOETHICS AND HEALTH ETHICS
Concerned not just
Both are concerned
Concerned about life
about health but also
about health and life
only in relation to
about other fields in

health

relation to life

Regulates human
conduct not only in the
practice of health care
but also in all aspects
of human life
Bioethics is not a part
of health ethics but
has an encompassing
scope of discipline

Both regulate human

conduct by means of
moral principles in
relation to health and
life

Health ethics is a part

of bioethics

Regulates human
conduct in the
practice of health
care

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
It

is an applied type of ethics

in so far as it deals with certain
moral precepts or rules by which
persons behave and act in the
exercise of their calling or
profession.

Ethical Dilemma
Value conflicts, no clear
consensus as to the right thing to do.
A conflict between moral obligations
that are difficult to reconcile and require
moral reasoning.
Situations necessitating a choice
between two equal (usually undesirable)
alternatives.

Ethical Issues in Modern Healthcare

In modern healthcare and research,
value conflicts arise where often there
appears to be no clear consensus as to
the Right thing to do.
These conflicts present problems
requiring
moral
decisions,
and
necessitates a choice between two or
more alternatives.

Examples:
Should children with serious birth
defects be kept alive?
2.Should a woman be allowed an
abortion for any reason?
3.Should terrorists be tortured to gain
information possibly saving hundreds
of lives?
1.

Ethical Theories: Ideas and

Actions
1.Deontology (duty)
2.Consequentialism (actions)
3.Virtue Ethics/Intuition (morals and
values)
Beliefs
Rights Ethics (individuality and the
American culture)

Deontology /Nonconsequentialism:
Derived from the Greek word, Deon,
meaning duty. Considers that some
acts are right or wrong independent of
their consequences. Looks to ones
obligation to determine what is ethical
and answers the question: What should
I do and why should I do it?

Deontology: A duty
Example: Zelda, a practitioner,
believes she has a duty to give
cardiac clients detailed information
on the pathology involved in their
condition even though the client
has indicated that they are not
ready or may be terrified to hear the
information causing the client
distress.

Consequentialism:
Also called Teleological, Greek word,
Telos, meaning end or consequence.
Actions are determined and justified by the
consequence of the act.
Consequentialists
consider
all
the
consequences of what they are about to do
prior to deciding a right action. This also
answers the question: What should I do and
why should I do it?

Consequentialism Action
Example:
Had Ana respected the wishes of her
clients, she would have given them only the
information which would have been a
benefit to them and not caused them undue
stress. She would have been motivated by
her desire to do good (beneficence), rather
than her sense of duty. This is a
Deontological betrayal.

Utilitarian Ethics: Considers the greatest

good for the largest number of people.
Also answers the question: What should I
do and why should I do it?
Intuitionism: Resolves ethical dilemmas
by appealing to ones intuition, a moral
faculty of a person which directly knows
what is right or wrong. (A gut feeling of
knowing what is right).

DIVINE REVELATION
refers allegedly to certain knowledge
revealed by God to humans, knowledge
which we cannot fully understand but which
we have to accept as true because God said
so, and because we know that God can
neither deceive us nor be deceived by us.
Religionist contends there can be no
morality without God
Ethicians maintains that morality remains
possible even without God.

It is employed to regulate human

conduct in the practice of health care
for the reason of ensuring that the
purpose of health care which focuses
on 1) alleviation of suffering,
2) prevention of sickness
3) promotion of health is being met in
the light of the fundamental principles
of morality.

Virtue Ethics: Contrary to other

ethical theories, virtue ethics
tells us what kind of person one
ought to be, rather than what
they do. The focus is on the
character (goodness) of the
person.

Two questions when faced with a

dilemma
Behavior: What should I do?
Motivation: Why should I do it?

The Identity Argument

Premise 1: What is understood to be
morally right depends (at least in part) on
ones identity as a moral person.
Premise 2: Ones race ethnicity and culture
is central to ones identity as a moral
person.
Conclusion: Thus, what is understood to be
morally right by an individual depends (at
least in part) on that persons race,
ethnicity, and culture.

Thank you for

Listening!!!