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 today’s 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 one’s 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 EthicsLaw, 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

BIOETHICS AND HEALTH ETHICSDISTINCTION (BIOETHICS)

RELATIONSHIP DISTINCTION (HEALTH ETHICS)

Concerned not just about health but also about other fields in 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 are concerned about health and life   Both regulate human conduct by means of moral principles in relation to health and life  Health ethics is a part of bioethics

Concerned about life only in relation to health  Regulates human conduct in the practice of health care

PROFESSIONAL ETHICSIt 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:

1. 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?

Ethical Theories: Ideas and Actions1.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 one’s obligation to determine what is ethical and answers the question: What should I do and why should I do it?

Deontology: A dutyExample: 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 one’s 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 ArgumentPremise 1: What is understood to be morally right depends (at least in part) on one’s identity as a moral person.

Premise 2: Ones’ race ethnicity and culture is central to one’s identity as a moral person.

Conclusion: Thus, what is understood to be morally right by an individual depends (at least in part) on that person’s race, ethnicity, and culture.

Thank you for Listening!!!