Principles of Bioethics

Part 1
BIOETHICS
 Refers to the ethical implications and
applications of the health-related life
sciences.
 Dilemmas arise in the development, study,

and practice of these sciences. It involves the

analysis of ethical issues raised by life-
sciences, the application of technology and
medicine and health policies.
BIOETHICS
 Common Bioethical Dilemmas
◦ End of Life Treatment
◦ Organ Trafficking
◦ Genetic Modification
◦ Access to Medicine and Health Services
◦ Assisted Procreation
◦ Human Cloning
◦ Biotechnology
Common Bioethical Dilemmas
• End of Life Treatment
 term used to describe the support and medical care
given during the time surrounding death.
 This type of care does not happen only in the moments
before breathing ceases and the heart stops beating
 The focus of this type of care is managing symptoms
and providing comfort and assistance. This includes
help with emotional and mental health, spiritual and
social needs.
End of Life Treatment
Common Bioethical Dilemmas
• Organ Trafficking
◦ The term organ trafficking is commonly used to
refer to a range of criminal activities,
including illegal organ harvesting from a living or
dead individual and the illegal sale and
transplantation of human organs.
Example
Common Bioethical Dilemmas
• Genetic Modification
 is a technique to change the characteristics of a plant,
animal or micro-organism by transferring a piece of
DNA from one organism to a different organism.
 This is done through targeted removal of the desired
genes from the DNA of one organism and adding them
to the other organism.
Genetic Modification
Common Bioethical Dilemmas
• Access to Medicine and Health Services
◦ When patients have good access to healthcare, they
are more likely to receive preventive care and early
treatment for health problems. Good access
prevents the progression of the disease by
providing timely care.
Common Bioethical Dilemmas
• Assisted Procreation
 Assisted human reproduction (AHR) is defined as any
procedure that involves the handling of eggs, sperm, or
both, outside the human body
 This includes artificial insemination, intrauterine
insemination, in vitro fertilization, and ovarian
stimulation (with medications).
Assisted Procreation
Assisted Procreation
• Human Cloning
◦ is the creation of a genetically identical copy of a
human. The term is generally used to refer to
artificial human cloning,
 There currently is no solid scientific evidence that
anyone has cloned human embryos. In 1998, scientists
in South Korea claimed to have successfully cloned a
human embryo, but said the experiment was
interrupted very early when the clone was just a group
of four cells.
• Biotechnology
◦ At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based
on biology - biotechnology harnesses cellular and
biomolecular processes to develop technologies
and products that help improve our lives and the
health of our planet.
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Principle of Non-Maleficence and
Beneficence.
 Autonomy of Individuals.
 Principle of Justice.
 Principle of Fidelity.
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Principle of Non-Maleficence
◦ Requires an intention to avoid needless harm or
injury that can arise through acts of commission or
omission.
◦ In common language, it can be considered
“negligence” if you impose a careless or
unreasonable risk of harm upon another
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Beneficence
◦ Is the ethical principle of promoting good
 Taking a patient outside for fresh air
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Autonomy of Individuals
◦ Focused on respective the rights and dignity of the
patient by asking for their informed and voluntary
consent
 disclosure of the nature of the intervention, its
expected risks, and the benefits and alternative
available
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Principle of Justice
◦ Focused on delivering health care without prejudice
by dealing with patients fairly and prioritizing care
to those who are most vulnerable.
◦ types of prejudice
 Gender identity
 Sexism
 Nationalism
 Racism
 Religious discrimination
 Linguistic discrimination
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
 Principle of Fidelity
◦ Presence of loyalty, reliability and good faith as well
as the rule of confidentiality by safeguarding the
patient’s privacy.
◦ is an ethical principle that pertains to
trustworthiness
◦ creating and maintaining trust in relationships
◦ also means that commitments and promises are
fulfilled
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN
TREATING A PATIENT/PERSON
Find Thoughtful and Rational
Justification (Setting Core Principles )
 Identify and analyze essential elements. Ask
why we may have certain intuitions and how
to manage conflicting intuitions. Always
Promote consistency.
Define and Identify the Ethical
Dilemma.
 Clarify the facts and identify stakeholders.
Identify the Medical indications (Diagnosis),
Patient/Resident/Family (PRF) Preferences,
Quality of Life, and Social Contexts (Religion,
Family Situation, and Financial Resources).
Analyze and Balance the Values
Involved.
 Identify what are the available options and
our prioritization of certain values/principles.
One should also be willing to do research and
seek advice.
Make a Recommendation
 Involve relevant stakeholders to create a
shared decision-making process. Make a
Follow up and Evaluation to ensure
accountability, consistency, and transparency,
thereby promoting trust and integrity.
 Always remember that there is no one correct
action, only an acceptable one.

 END