Thinking like a Bioethicists Four Key Questions Thinking like a Bioethicists

Q1: What is the ethical question? The ability to see the ethical dimensions of a given situation “Moral imagination” or “Moral sensitivity” The ability to distinguish an ethical question Legal? Scientific? Personal-preference?

Q2: What are relevant facts? Sci. facts are important Ex: Manditory Vaccinations Stats about efficacy Side-effects Harms Social Facts are also important Social and/or Religious considerations Culture concerns

Q3: Who or what could be affected by the way the question gets resolved? Must think about those that will be affected Physically Emotionally Economically Walk a mile in their shoes…….

Q4: What are relevant ethical considerations? Core: Respect for persons If one person’s organs can save 10+ lives, ethical violation to take that life LISTENING Minimizing harms while maximizing benefits Important consideration “First, do no harm”- NONMALEFICENCE Fairness Social justice

Elements of a strong justification: High degree of relevance to the ethical question Reference to the most important science and social science facts Description of the potential effects of decision Identifying and applying the relevant core ethical considerations Analysis of the ways the recommended course of action satisfies those considerations Strengths and weaknesses of other solutions Logical reasoning