Bioethics

1
Bioethics

• Vocabulary and Theory

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Ethics

• A field of human inquiry that examines the bases
  of human goals and the foundations of right and
  wrong human actions that further or hinder these
  goals (Wertz, 5-8)
• A reasoned process for dealing with a problem
  concerning what ought or should be done in a
  situation

3
Morals

• Actions-based on social customs, emotional
  responses to a breach of socially accepted
  practice
• What is right or wrong
• Ideas of what is right or wrong are often shared
  by groups of people

4
Values

• What is important to you as an individual
• Based on your experiences, groups you are a
  member of, your age, your interests

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Principles Based Ethical Decision Making

• Autonomy-respect for personhood-the right to self
  govern-the right to have all the information
  necessary to make a decision
• Non-maleficence-to do the least amount of harm
• Beneficence-to serve the greater good
• Justice-to be fair-to be equitable

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Utilitarianism

• Outcome based decision making
• Consequentialist
• Outcomes are considered and the good and bad
  outcomes are weighed
• Requires that the interests of everyone be
  considered
• Ends justify the means

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Deontology

• Rules based decision making
• Actions reflect what you would want to become
  universal law
• Ask-What would happen if everyone did this?