Introduction To Bioethics
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ScribdTranslationsIntroduction to Bioethics
Unit 1
1.1.-Origin and history of bioethics.
1.2.-Scope of bioethics.
1.3.-Ends and means in bioethics.
1.4.-Foundations of bioethics.
1.5.- The epistemological foundation of Bioethics.
What does the word bioethics mean:
Bioethics (from the Greek bio: life and ethik: behavior) is a branch of ethics that attempts to be
a bridge between thedevelopmentfrom thetechnologyand theresponsibilityof the man in the
manipulation of thehuman beingand of the middle.
Bioethics formulates valid moral principles of theconducthuman in relation not only to the
man, but also with theenvironmentthe plants and theanimals.In other words,
Bioethics is the relationshipmoralof the human being with other living beings.
Theconceptbioethics was used in the 1970s byV. R. Potterbiochemist
American who proposed the creation of adisciplineable to integrate thebiology
theecologythe medicine and thevalueshumans.
1- ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF BIOETHICS
Ethics is the critical reflection on the values and principles that guide our decisions.
behaviors.
The word bioethics is a neologism coined in 1971 by Van Rensselaer Potter.
Bioethics: bridge to the future), in which this author encompassed the "discipline that combines the
biological knowledge with that of human values.
WHAT IS NEologism:
A neologism is a new word or expression that is created in a language. A word is born
Generally, when a new reality arises that needs to be named, for example inventions
and discoveries, and also to name new political, economic, or cultural phenomena.
The prestigiousEncyclopedia of Bioethics(coordinated by Warren Reich) defines bioethics as
the systematic study of human behavior in the area of life sciences and care
sanitary, in that such conduct is examined in light of values and principles
morals." Currently, it encompasses not only the traditional aspects of medical ethics but also
includes environmental ethics, with debates on the rights of future generations,
sustainable development, etc. the term bioethics has been used mainly to refer to the new
medical ethics and the ethics of new advances in biomedicine.
The objective of bioethics, as it was 'founded' by the Hastings Center (1969) and the Kennedy Institute
(1972) was to encourage debate and interdisciplinary dialogue between medicine, philosophy, and ethics, and
it represented a notable renewal of traditional medical ethics.
2 -SCOPE OF BIOETHICS
Bioethics not only addresses moral issues in the field of biomedicine, but also
includes:
Epistemological issues: explanatory models of human behavior (e.g.
debate between biological determinism and environmental influence), metaphors and models
about the role of genes, etc.
Ontological issues (the status of the human at the beginning and end of life; state
persistent vegetative state; relationship between genetic endowment and individual identity, etc.).
Bioethics develops in the context of a pluralistic society, indifferent to grand narratives.
unifiers of a religious or ideological nature. Therefore, bioethics is a civil ethics that is
sustained in secular human rationality, capable of being shared by all, in a
neutral philosophical ground. As it saysMarciano Vidal (1989)beyond a legal framework
and deontological, and closer to religious convictions.
3- FINES AND MEANS IN BIOETHICS
A relatively neglected point in the bioethics debate, but essential when discussing the
aspects of justice in access to biomedical services, is the connection between the ends
From biomedicine and the available technical means, there are two factors that influence this issue.
Trend of medicine to introduce new technologies, often very expensive, and
planned for individual benefit and not so much for the benefit of the general population.
Biomedical technologies are continuously altering the traditional image of
what is 'normal functioning of our species'. The notion is being redefined
statistic of 'normality', so we are sliding towards some ends of
optimization and even "improvement" of our nature.
Bioethics has oscillated between insistence on often inflexible formal criteria but
lacking content, and the procedural criteria, but has not addressed the central issue
about what we understand as human goods or the purposes of medicine. And as long as this does not
if it happens, we run the risk of not reaching any meaningful solution in many of the debates
open.
4- FOUNDATIONS OF BIOETHICS
Absolute value of the person
It derives from the Kantian idea that people are not mere means, but ends in themselves.
However, we are facing issues that have not been resolved unanimously:
depending on the ontological status granted to the unborn (embryo, fetus), it becomes
necessary or not the same consideration as to born human life. The determination of
The status of the embryo does not depend solely on biological data, but on social considerations.
and cultural differences not shared by all, although this should not lead to relativism, but rather it must
encourage to continue searching and debating.
The value of the human person is an intuition or 'a priori' that serves as a frame of reference for
to elaborate bioethics. Therefore, the human being has dignity, and not a price. From this derives the
that all people deserve the same and absolute consideration and respect
Four principles of bioethics: They aim to give substance to the moral outline that implies the
declaration of the value and dignity of the person.
Principle of non-maleficence:
This principle was already formulated in Hippocratic medicine: Primum non nocere, that is, above all,
do no harm to the patient. It is about respecting the physical and psychological integrity of life
human. It is relevant in the face of advances in science and technology, because many techniques
they can cause damage or risks.
Principle of beneficence
It refers to the obligation to do good. It is another of the classical Hippocratic principles. This
The positive principle of beneficence is not as strong as the negative one of avoiding harm.
This principle (along with that of justice) can also be used to reinforce the moral obligation.
to transfer technologies to disadvantaged countries with the aim of saving human lives and satisfying
your basic needs.
Principle of autonomy or freedom of decision
It can be defined as the obligation to respect the values and personal choices of each individual.
individual in those basic decisions that vitally concern him. It implies the right even to
to make a mistake when making one's own choice. From this, consent derives.
free and informed about current medical ethics.
Principle of justice
It consists of the equitable distribution of burdens and benefits in the field of vital well-being, avoiding
discrimination in access to health resources. This principle imposes limits on the
autonomy, since it aims for the autonomy of each individual not to infringe upon life, liberty, and
everyone else's basic rights
EPISTEMOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF BIOETHICS
Epistemology: Epistemology, or the philosophy of science, is the branch of philosophy that studies
scientific research and its product, scientific knowledge.
For Piaget, epistemology "is the study of the passage from states of lesser knowledge to
the states of a more advanced knowledge, asking Piaget, about how one knows the
subject (how to move from one level of knowledge to another); the question is more about the process and not
for what knowledge "is" in itself" (Cortes and Gil 1997).
For Ceberio and Watzlawick (1998), "the term epistemology derives from the Greek episteme that
it means knowledge, and it is a branch of philosophy that deals with all the elements that
they seek the acquisition of knowledge and investigate the foundations, limits, methods, and validity
of the same.
Bioethics exists as an attempt at systematic reflection on all interventions of
man over living beings; a reflection that has a specific and difficult objective to achieve:
the identification of values and norms that guide human action, the intervention of science and
technology in life itself and in the biosphere. To analyze whether this reflection has a location
In the sciences, it will be necessary to analyze its function and epistemological justification, the foundation of
ethical judgment, and the method