Unit 4 AOS 3

Question 1

what are the ethical guidelines questions?

Answer 1

• Is my method designed to avoid harming living things or ecosystems as much as possible?
• Has this research considered the beliefs, perceptions, customs, and cultural heritage of those involved in, or affected by, the experiment?
• Are all participants aware of the risks associated and have they provided their consent?
• If I make a great discovery, will there be equal access to, and fair distribution of, any benefits that have arisen from this research?
• Will I acknowledge all sources of funding and help for this research?
• Will I be transparent about any errors with the data or methods?
• Is the identity of participants protected?

Question 2

define ethics

Answer 2

a field of knowledge that deals with our personal understanding of right and wrong

Question 3

what does ethics help with?

Answer 3

• helps guide our actions and decision–making
• allow scientists to make informed judgements about how best to act in the interests of others

Question 4

when do you apply ethical understanding?

Answer 4

You apply ethical understanding when you undertake your own investigations, analyse your own and others’ data, and identify and investigate issues relating to the application of scientific knowledge in society.

Question 5

Being ethically considerate means you…?

Answer 5

• Report your true data when completing experiments
• Acknowledge other people’s work
• Minimise the impact of your research on the environment (e.g. animal welfare)

Question 6

what comes with advances in biology?

Answer 6

Science has made many advances, particularly in the last 100 years, but with advances come dilemmas.

Question 7

what is a bioethical issue?

Answer 7

A bioethical issue is an ethical dilemma pertaining to biology that typically involves a decision–making process between two or more choices or options for an action.

Question 8

what are some bioethical issues?

Answer 8

Bioethical issues/topic include surrogacy, genetically modified organisms, the use of stem cells, cloning etc.

Question 9

features of a bioethical issue?

Answer 9

• Deciding between alternative choices or courses of action
• Influenced by external factors - social, economic, legal etc.
• Conflicting opinions/values/ ideals from different stakeholders

Question 10

what do bioethical approaches do?

Answer 10

An approach to bioethics is a tool or a framework that guides ethical decision making

Question 11

what are the three bioethical approaches?

Answer 11

1. Consequences–based (What will happen?)
2. Duty/rules–based (What am I doing?)
3. Virtues–based. (Who am I?)

Question 12

what is a consequences-based approach?

Answer 12

• Aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes.
• Greatest good for the greatest number of stakeholders
• “the end justifies the means”.

Question 13

what is a duty/rules-based approach?

Answer 13

• promotes the “means” above the “end”
• decision maker must to follow a rule or procedure without questioning it

Question 14

what is a virtues-based approach?

Answer 14

• promotes decision making based on the “moral compass” of the person who is making the decision
• People are expected to act in a way that is good, kind, and honest.

Question 15

key terms for consequences-based approach?

Answer 15

outcomes, benefits, consequences, effects

Question 16

key terms for a duty/rules-based approach?

Answer 16

obligation, duty. responsibility, commitment

Question 17

key terms for a virtues-based approach?

Answer 17

any reference to virtues, such as good, honest, caring

Question 18

steps for approaching bioethical issues?

Answer 18

1. Identifying the issue
2. Exploring the issue in context
3. Considering different perspectives
4. Deciding on a position or course of action
5. Reflecting on chosen course of action

Question 19

what are the ethical concepts?

Answer 19

• Integrity
• Justice
• Beneficence
• Non maleficence
• Respect

Question 20

what is integrity?

Answer 20

• Integrity is a commitment to truth.
• A person who has integrity acts in a way consistent with what they know to be right.
• Integrity has a very similar meaning to honesty.
• It also refers to openness to scrutiny and criticism.
• This includes publishing all findings (favourable or unfavourable) in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public understanding.

Question 21

what is justice?

Answer 21

• Justice is similar in meaning to fairness.
• It emphasises the fair distribution of resources and equal access to benefits of an action.
• But where fairness aims to treat everyone the same, justice aims to treat people as they should be treated.
• This requires that there is no unfair burden placed on a particular group as a result of a specific action.

Question 22

what is benefience?

Answer 22

• Beneficence is similar in meaning to kindness.
• It means seeking to maximise the benefits for others. eg a person volunteers for charity to help those in need.
• It promotes the wellbeing of others.

Question 23

what is non maleficence?

Answer 23

• Non-maleficence is a commitment to minimising harm, even, sometimes, at the cost of restricting some people’s freedoms.
• A commitment to avoiding any detrimental consequences.

Question 24

what is respect?

Answer 24

• Respect is similar in meaning to consideration.
• It means upholding the value of others including their welfare, beliefs, freedoms, and autonomy.
• It promotes the freedom of others to make decisions for themselves and their protection from persecution or exploitation.