emes 39 Human Existence and Ethics Fthies is the moral code that guides how an individual should behave. As a branch of knowledge, it deals with moral principles, Ethics is also about the individual's search for meaning while dealing with human problems which may be logical (problems of reasoning) epistemological (problems of the truth), cosmological (problems of universe), ethical (problems of morality), aesthetical (problems of art and beauty), or scientific problems (problems of science) (Timbreza, 1993), With the various definitions of ethics every individual should be open in dealing, with ethical problems. : ae beings are logical beings but human existence is inexplicable. At the moment a bomb en abe beeing {o suffer and will continue to suffer until death (‘Timbreza, . to have been born human is tragic because life is a perpetual process of making sense of the absurdity of one’s existence. Making sense of the meaning of human existence throughout history has brought about many developments in the study of ethics. Schools of Ethics Ethics deals with a diverse prescription of universal concepts and principles that serve as foundation of moral beliefs. Some may agree that there is no such universal or absolute ethical principle that would apply to all, as elaborated on by ethical relativism. Some may say that the standards of right or wrong are always relative depending on cultural and social factors. In many cases ethics can be connected to morality. For Donal Harrington, morality can be viewed in different perspectives—as a law, as an inner conviction, as love, as personal growth, and as social transformation. However, there are also nuances between ethics and morality as illustrated by James Gustafson (1974). Meee Theoretical prescriptions/critiques + The nature of the good + The nature of human person * Criteria of judgment Based on principles practiced by a particular ‘community + Fundamental convictions of human agent * Character of moral agent + Use of norms + Situational analysis Ethical Relativism Ethical relativism, also known as moral relativism, is a school of ethics anchored on the principle that morality is relative to the norms of a particular culture. It is a theory based. on norms relative to a particular culture or society. For example, some cultures may accept certain acts and behaviors that are unacceptable to other cultures.principles of Medical Laboratory Science 1 ical relativism acknowledges societal diversity, that every societ %s beliefs are greatly influenced by eul 1 uniquer design and culture; and peop the preservation of its cultura 'Y has @ un 2 8 and acknow! Ethical Pragmatism proach OF movement that began in the Pragmatism is a philosophical appr term was coined by Charles Sanders Peirce and further developed by William Jamen considered as America’s most distinctive and major contribution to the field of hija !tis truth, and mea’ Philos It is more of a theory on knowledge, is rather than morality, ji i zi tho, the language of moral interest may appear 12 MAnY . the writings of Peirce and Jame ® is interesting that a pragmatic conception of good and truth can be applied in the med : 5 cs terms of decision making and moral reasoning. context especially Ethical Utilitarianism Founded by two English Philosophers Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuag Mill (1806-1873), this school of ethics states that the rightness or wrongness of action, is determined by their consequences. The principle of utility formulated by Mill states tha, “actions are good insofar as they tend to promote happiness, bad as they tend to produee unhappiness. The utility or usefulness of an action is determined by the extent to which it promotes happiness rather than its reverse.” Moral Issues ‘There are numerous ethical issues in the field of medicine that are perceived to be controversial. Diversity, decision making, compliance, and governance are some of the concerns that need to be considered when doing an ethical review in the context of the health care profession, Various views formulated by many philosophers, theologians, and moralists provide people with difficult decisions as to whether an action is acceptable or not. The following ethical issues are those that continue to be talked about and debated on because of their controversial nature. Abortion ‘Abortion is considered illegal in the Philippines. Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that: The state recognizes the sanctity of life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception (Article II, Section 12).fines Abortion can be direct, § et, Induces instances, abortion becomes oe or even caused by natural cases oF accidents. In some this issue is 0 continuous one f 'ssitry when the life of the mother Is at stake, The debate on nate violat ie ‘CRUBE Of opponing perspectives. For anti-abortion groups, inaciter aes of fe itis the act of killing an individual that is not yet For those who support abort these opposing, views, deeper understanding. that requires Euthanasia (Mercy Killing) Enthanasii Sey tcntionally, usually in situations when the leve him or her of pain and suffering. Also known as merey regarded as 4 ; merciful release of an individual from an incurable Herbert Hendin (2004) also deseri ident 6k a peroonl who is Pee aes ‘bes euthanasia as the process of inducing the painless eee hee cal ‘erely debilitated for reasons assumed to be merciful, either Be eae pon hunt, or involuntary means. Voluntary euthanasia is when eee Ge tc Sane ogee himself or herself to a painless death. Non-voluntary Se ie enahl - |, is conducted when the permission of the patient to perform h pee fan be a in the case of patient in a deep comatose, or neonates born with ee ee ao - defects. Involuntary euthanasia is when the individual does not £ aes cee 7 this day, euthanasia, as an ethical issue, remains to be controversial e of taking away a life in a way that is perceived to be against the society’ r e society's accepted moral standards, f i xh Genetic Engineering Genetic engineering is a controversial ethical issue because it involves genetic manipulations that are perceived to be against moral standards set by the society. Througt genetic engineering, humans are seen to be acting as their own gods because of procedure that enable them to manipulate the genetic make-up of organisms. ‘The following are some procedures involved in genetic engineering: Genetic Screening is a procedure whose main purpose is to screen, choose, and sele the genes for proper detection of any genetic disease and other chromosomal malformatior (Ciabal, 2003). Genetic screening is usually done for the early diagnosis of diseases. echniques such as genetic control, therapy, and surge Genetic interventions are t ” in the biological process and “contr ‘According to Ciabal (2003), people can now “intervene! bad or defective genes. Stem-cell therapy is a form of gene t diseases. It has been the subject of cont tic engineering that makes use of stem cells to trea prevent roversy because of how stem cells are sourcs42 puneiplon the sub iglOUs groups 4 POUPS Open #8 Of fertilization, Pom, is ight, Professional ethics covers they : me + workplace. "The core of ethies ofa particular peer” 1 the ethical practice of a profession. ranion 1e workplace is neeessitry Professional ethies guide individ ¢ in order for them to remain functional. ng a healthy and Produces; ive ng with issues and conflict iy KEY POINTS the moral code that guides how an individual should behave. sd h a diverse prescription of universal concepts and principles that serve as foundation of moral beliefs. Diversity, decision making, compliance, and governance are some of the concerns that need to be considered when doing an ethical review in the context of the health care ssion, Professional ethics covers the accepted behavior of individuals in the workplace setting.