Veterinary Ethics Flashcards
(10 cards)
Define ethics
Moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or how they conduct an activity.
There beliefs are gained from our experiences and interactions.
What is an ethical dilema?
Where we have multiple competing responsibilities and are unable to prioritise one over another when making a decision.
What ethical issues may vets be faced with in practice?
- Euthanasia
- Financial issues
- Treatment of stray animals and wildlife
- Cosmetic procedures
- Client confidentiality
- Use of experimental animals
- Antimicrobial use
What is meant by an animals intrinsic value?
Worthy of ethical consideration in their own right
What is meant by an animals instrumental value?
Worthy of ethical consideration due to their use to us e.g. food source
What is sentience?
The capacity of an organism to have feelings, including the ability to think, suffer and experience emotions
What is sentience viewed as the minimum requirement for?
For an individual to have moral status and be worthy of ethical consideration
How is sentience assessed in an individual?
Comparing their neurophysiology and behaviour to that of humans
Since which treaty has the EU legally recognised that animals are sentient beings?
Treaty of Amsterdam 1997
What are the 6 main ethical theories?
- Contractarianism
- Utilitarianism
- Deontology
- Relational (care)
- Virtue
- Naturalism
