BIOETHICS/HEALTH
CARE ETHICS
By:
Leonila M. Badilla, RN, MAN
• Ethics refers to the branch of philosophy
that deals with moral principles and values
governing human conduct. It involves the
study of what is morally right or wrong,
good or bad, and how individuals and
societies should behave.
• Ethics provides a framework for making
decisions and judgments about what actions
are acceptable and appropriate in different
situations.
• Ethical considerations often involve
concepts such as justice, fairness, honesty,
integrity, and responsibility. It explores
questions related to the nature of morality,
the justification for moral judgments, and
the development of ethical theories and
systems
• Ethics can be applied to various fields,
including business, medicine, law, and
everyday life, to guide individuals and
organizations in making morally sound
choices and navigating moral dilemmas.
What is Bioethics?
• Bioethics is a branch of ethics that
specifically deals with the moral and ethical
implications of biological and medical
advancements, as well as the ethical
considerations in healthcare and the life
sciences. It involves the examination and
analysis of issues related to human life,
health, and the application of biological and
medical technologies.
• Bioethics encompasses a wide range of
topics, including but not limited to:
Medical Ethics: Examining the ethical
dilemmas and principles within the practice
of medicine, including issues like patient
autonomy, informed consent, end-of-life
decisions, and the allocation of medical
resources.
• Reproductive Ethics: Addressing ethical questions
surrounding assisted reproductive technologies,
abortion, contraception, and issues related to
genetic engineering.
• Genetic Ethics: Exploring the ethical implications
of advances in genetics, gene editing, and genetic
testing, including issues related to privacy,
genetic discrimination, and the potential for
designer babies.
• Research Ethics: Examining ethical considerations
in scientific research, especially when involving
human subjects, animals, or potentially
controversial experiments.
• Environmental Ethics: Considering the ethical
responsibilities regarding the impact of human
activities on the environment and the well-being
of ecosystems.
• Bioethics provides a framework for evaluating and
making decisions about complex moral issues
arising from advances in the life sciences and
healthcare. It often involves interdisciplinary
collaboration, bringing together expertise from
fields such as medicine, philosophy, law, theology,
and social sciences to address the ethical
challenges posed by developments in biology and
medicine.
• Bioethics is important for several reasons,
as it provides a framework for addressing
ethical issues arising from advances in
biology, medicine, and healthcare. Some
key aspects of the importance of bioethics
include:
Protection of Human Dignity: Bioethics
ensures that individuals are treated with
respect and that their rights and dignity are
protected. It guides healthcare
professionals, researchers, and policymakers
in making decisions that prioritize the well-
being and autonomy of individuals.
• Balancing Scientific Progress and Ethical
Considerations: As scientific and
technological advancements continue,
bioethics helps strike a balance between
progress and ethical considerations. It
provides a platform for evaluating the
potential benefits and risks associated with
new developments in medicine and
biotechnology.
• Informed Consent: Bioethics emphasizes the
importance of informed consent in medical
treatments and research. It ensures that
individuals have the right to be fully
informed about the nature, risks, and
potential benefits of medical procedures or
participation in research studies, allowing
them to make autonomous decisions.
• Allocation of Resources: In healthcare, bioethics
plays a role in addressing the fair and just
allocation of limited resources, such as organs
for transplantation or access to expensive
medical treatments. It helps develop ethical
guidelines for resource distribution to ensure
fairness and minimize disparities.
• Ethical Guidelines for Research: Bioethics
establishes ethical guidelines for research
involving human subjects and animals. It
helps prevent exploitation, abuse, or harm
in scientific investigations and ensures that
research contributes positively to society.
• Reproductive Choices: Bioethics is crucial in
addressing ethical questions related to
reproductive technologies, genetic testing, and
family planning. It provides a framework for
discussing and navigating complex issues, such
as surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, and the use
of reproductive technologies.
• Cultural and Global Perspectives: Bioethics
takes into account diverse cultural and
global perspectives. It recognizes that
ethical considerations may vary across
cultures and helps develop guidelines that
respect cultural differences while promoting
common principles.
• Addressing Emerging Technologies: With the
rapid advancement of technologies like
gene editing and artificial intelligence,
bioethics becomes even more critical. It
provides a foundation for ethical discussions
and policymaking in response to emerging
technologies that have the potential to
transform healthcare and society.
Definition of terms
• The term "moral" refers to principles or
standards of right and wrong behavior, as
well as the goodness or badness of human
character. Morality encompasses the values,
beliefs, and rules that guide individuals and
societies in distinguishing between what is
considered morally right and morally wrong.
• It often involves concepts such as fairness,
justice, honesty, compassion, and integrity.
Morality can be shaped by various factors,
including cultural, religious, philosophical, and
personal influences. Different cultures and belief
systems may have diverse moral codes, leading to
variations in ethical norms and standards across
societies.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
• 1. MORAL -
CONCEPTS OF ETHICS AND BIOETHICS
Importance of bioethics
• It covers all areas in which health care is practiced, be it in the
preventive, curative or rehabilitative sphere. Bioethics
principles can be applied not only in life sciences but also in
many areas of human life.
• It helps us recognize the ethical dimension in reguating the
human actions and relations.
• Healthcare bioethics has increased awareness of medical
practice among health workers as well as enriched the capacity
of health workers to better consider the patient as an individual
The rationale in the study of bioethics
• 1. To address the perennial ethical problems
issues and dilemmas confronting health and
pastoral workers.
• 2. To address legal problems in health care with
ethical concerns
• 3. To address and enhance professional
development and ethical values of the health
professionals
The Nature of Human Acts and Acts of Man
Elements of human acts
• 1. Knowledge - Is important in assessment of the human act as
the absence oof which makes the act only an act of man.
• Freedom – is a quality of the freewill by which one is able to
choose between one or two or more alternatives. Freedom is
violated when one does not agree or does not submit to a crime
committed (or a crime already committed).
• Voluntariness- is a quality of human act whereby any
commission or omission of an act is a result of the knowledge
which an agent has of the end.It requires full consciousness of
the nature of ones and its consequences.
Determinants of Human Acts
• 1. The Object of the Act. It answers the question “what was
performed by the moral agent”. It does not only say that the
agent intentionally killed the man, but it says the agent murdered
the man. Nor that it say that he deprived the owner of his
property but he stole it.
• 2. Motive of the Agent. This refers to the purpose for which a
human agent does an act. The motive of the agent answers the
question “ what specifically does the agent personally want to
accomplish. The motive is the factor for which the agent acts.
• 3. The Circumstances. It refers to the events, occasions or
conditions that make the act concrete
• 3. Circumstances-
