BIOETHICS

 Often used interchangeably but NOT the same:  Values  What’s important/worthwhile  Basis for moral codes and ethical reflections  Individuals have their own set of values  Morals  Codes of conduct that govern behavior  Values reflected in actions and principles  Ethics  Systematic, rational way to work through dilemas to determine the best course of action

 A field of study that looks at the moral basis of human behavior and attempts to determine the best course of action in the face of conflicting choices.  Attempts to answer the questions:  Why do we act as we do?  How do we decide what to do when people disagree on a course of action? ETHICS

 A subfield of ethics applied to the life sciences.  Helps us as a society, make decisions about how to best:  Use scientific knowledge  Allocate and utilize medicines and other medical treatments BIOETHICS

WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 Ethical questions have the following components: WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 Ethical questions have the following components:  Often involve the words ought or should, implying a difficult decision to be made WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 Ethical questions have the following components:  Often involve the words ought or should, implying a difficult decision to be made  Several alternative solutions, none of which is without some challenging or problematic aspect WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 Ethical questions have the following components:  Often involve the words ought or should, implying a difficult decision to be made  Several alternative solutions, none of which is without some challenging or problematic aspect  Contain conflicting moral choices and dilemmas, and the underlying values of the people involved (stakeholders) may clash WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 Ethical questions have the following components:  Often involve the words ought or should, implying a difficult decision to be made  Several alternative solutions, none of which is without some challenging or problematic aspect  Contain conflicting moral choices and dilemmas, and the underlying values of the people involved (stakeholders) may clash  No right or wrong answer that satisfies all parties, but rather better or worse answers based on reasoned justifications. WHAT IS AN ETHICAL QUESTION?

 No right or wrong answer that satisfies all parties, but rather better or worse answers based on reasoned justifications.

 There are many different kinds of questions in addition to ethical questions  There are those pertaining to:  Law  Science  Personal preference  One’s culture or religion  Use the criteria listed to determine which of the questions listed are ethical questions. WHICH ARE ETHICAL QUESTIONS?

 Ethical questions D and G

 Legal questions  Ask what the law says about a particular issue A, F, and H

 Scientific questions  Can be explored through scientific inquiry and observation. Rely on evidence. B and E

 Religious/cultural questions  Ask what would be in line with a particular belief or practice C and I

 Personal preference questions  Relate directly to the speaker J

Who should be saved during a flu outbreak when there is not enough life- saving vaccine available for everybody? WHAT TYPE OF QUESTION IS THE FOLLOWING?

Ethical decisions arise when individuals, with their own set of values, must interact within a larger community and a decision must be made that involves conflicting choices.

Science is a human enterprise conducted within a social context

 Recognize an ethical question when it arises  Assess the facts  Listen to different viewpoints  Make reasoned judgments about courses of action IT IS YOUR DUTY TO...

Bioethical dilemmas can be evaluated using various ethical perspectives PRINCIPLES OF BIOETHICS

 Respect for persons and their autonomy  Emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of each individual, and acknowledges a person’s right to make his or her own choices.  It means NOT treating people as a means to an end PRINCIPLES OF BIOETHICS

 Respect for persons and their autonomy  Maximizing benefits = Beneficence  Minimizing harms = Nonmaleficence  Asks how can we do the most good and the least amount of harm.  It considers how one would directly help others and act in their best interests, while “doing no harm” PRINCIPLES OF BIOETHICS