SAC 1? - bioethics Flashcards
(23 cards)
3 major APPROACHES to bioethical issues
- Consequences-based approach
- Duty/rule-based approach
- Virtues-based approach
Consequences-based approach
- driven by the consequences that may occur
- maximise positive outcomes, minimise negative
- aims to achieve greatest good for greatest number of stakeholders
= END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS
Virtues-based approach
- driven by CHARACTER, rather than need to follow rules or focus on outcome
- driven by behaviours a morally good person would hope to achieve
- argues an action can be justified bc it is charitable, caring or good (virtues)
- deciding based on MORAL COMPASS
Duty/rule-based approach
- follows set rules and responsibilities
- prioritises rule-following= less consideration for the consequences
- action must be done because it is the responsibility of the individuals, not bc of good outcomes
- promotes MEANS ABOVE THE END
Example: Coronavirus 2020
During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, many hospitals were faced with the ethical decision of who to treat and who to turn away. In such a situation, different ethical approaches may lead to different courses of action.
Consequence-based: focusing treatment on young and healthy individuals and less on older patients who are less likely to survive.
Duty/rule based: Doctors have a moral obligation to provide treatment to whoever is in need. Hospitals have a duty to act indiscriminately rather than turning away patients based on their age.
Virtues-based: Doctors need to follow their own moral judgement as to who is most in need. This is based on their moral compass of kindness and fairness.
examples of bioethical issues
biotechnology, healthcare related issues, environmental conservation
examples of healthcare related issues
- use of human embryos for researching new disease therapies
- how to best care for people at the end of their life, including euthanasia
- correct allocation of medical resources
- privacy of medical data
examples of biotechnology
- the use of AI in biology
- use of bioengineering, ie. synthetic vaccines or replacement organs
- (GM foods) -Production of new genetically engineered food varieties
- stem cell research, including disease management + human enhancement
examples of environmental conservation
- potential of ‘de-extinction’ processes to bring back extinct species ie. woolly mammoth
- potential for ecosystems management, + best way to maintain health of endangered species
- How best to tackle climate change, including changes to the way energy companies operate.
difference between APPROACHES and CONCEPTS
Approaches = frameworks for addressing the bioethical issues
(hats we wear when thinking about it)
Ethical concepts = help inform the approaches
(the lenses through which we view the issue)
5 ethical CONCEPTS
- integrity
- Justice
- Beneficence
- Respect
- Non-maleficence
(I Just Broke Rachel’s Nose)
define integrity
always being truthful, honest, and transparent when presenting findings or results
eg. scientists testing new drugs include all results, even if some show the drug didn’t work
define Justice
- fair distribution of resources and equal access to benefits of policy, investigation or research
- encourages consideration of different people’s opinions, esp those marginalised or affected by outcome.
eg. giving all patients equal access to a treatment, regardless of background or outcome
define Beneficence
- maximising benefit/doing good to others
- improve the conditions of others through
generosity, charity and kindness - Promotes personal wellbeing and good of others, particularly direct stakeholders ie. patients or research subjects
eg. developing vaccine to protect people from a deadly disease
define respect
- considering the wellbeing, freedom, independence, value and beliefs of all people
- Prioritises the freedom of others to make their own decisions and be protected from persecution or exploitation
eg. getting informed consent from patients
define non-maleficence
- doing no harm and avoiding actions that can lead to harmful consequences
- can be unavoidable = minimising harm, sometimes to the detriment of people’s freedom of choice/autonomy
eg. testing a drug before giving to patients to make sure it’s safe
identify bioethical approach and concept: doctor decides to prescribe a new but experimental drug to a terminally ill patient, believing it might improve their quality of life.
concept: beneficence
approach: consequence-based
identify bioethical approach and concept: a hospital follows strict guidelines to ensure all patients receive treatment regardless of their background or financial status
concept: justice
approach: rules-based
identify bioethical approach and concept: a nurse refuses to falsify a patient’s medical records, even though doing so would prevent legal trouble for the hospital
concept: integrity
approach: rule-based OR virtue
identify bioethical approach and concept: a surgeon decides not to operate on a frail elderly patient bc the risks outweigh the potential benefits
concept: non-maleficence
approach: consequence based
identify bioethical approach and concept: a medical researcher ensures that participants in a clinical trial fully understand the risks before they agree to participate
concept: respect
approach: rules-based
identify bioethical approach and concept: a hospital prioritises organ transplant recipients based on medical urgency rather than wealth or social status
concept: jusice
approach: rules- based
what are stakeholders
Stakeholders in a bioethical issue are individuals, groups, or organizations
with a vested interest or influence in the outcome of a decision involving
bioethics.
They are who and what could be affected by the outcome.
