VCE BIOLOGY

Bioethics

studies the ethical issues emerging from advances in biology, medicine, and technologies

Consequences-based

The main focus is the consequences of an action (the end/outcome). The approach aims to achieve maximum positive outcomes and minimise negative effects.

consequences based, duty/rule based, virtues based.

three approaches to bioethics

Duty and/or rule-based

How people act is the main focus. People have a duty to act in a particular way and/or that certain ethical rules must be followed, regardless of the consequences that may be produced.

Virtues-based

The main focus is on the person (i.e. their virtue / moral character) making the decision rather than any rules or consequences.

consequences based example

In a covid ward, where the number of respirators is limited, the doctor only puts someone on a respirator if they believe the person has an excellent chance of survival. The outcome is that more people survive.

duty/rule based example

In the covid ward, the rule is that patients should be allocated a respirator not based on their likelihood of surviving but on the order patients come into the ICU. This approach could be deemed the fairest way to distribute respirators. The doctor follows the rule.

virtues based example

For example, a person argues that an action can be justified simply because it is charitable, caring, or good.

In the covid ward, a five-year-old comes into ICU. There is a small chance of the child surviving if placed on a respirator

integrity, justice, beneficence, non- maleficence

Five ethical concepts

Justice

This is the commitment to fairness.

There is a moral obligation to ensure fair consideration of competing claims (different people's opinions and positions).

integrity

This is the commitment to searching for knowledge and reporting truthfully on the findings regardless of whether they support your point of view/idea.

It encourages scrutiny and criticism.

Non-maleficence

This involves minimising the causes of harm. For example, there is potential for harm in some experiments. This needs to be minimised

Respect

This is the commitment to considering the extent to which living things have value.

It could be regarding welfare, liberty, and autonomy (self-government), beliefs, perceptions, customs, and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective (group).

Respect prioritises the freedom of others to make their own decisions and be protected from persecution or exploitation.