Unit 2 AOS 3 Bioethics

Bioethical issue

Bioethical issue

an ethical dilemma pertaining to biology that typically involves a decision- making process between two or more choices or options for action

Biopiracy

A term describing the ways that corporations from the developed world allegedly claim ownership of, free ride on, or otherwise take unfair advantage of, the genetic resources and traditional knowledge and technologies of developing countries

Bioprospecting

the search for plant and animal species from which medicinal drugs and other commercially valuable compounds can be obtained.

consequence based approach

ethical reasoning focuses on the results or outcomes of the action;

maximizes net benefits to all concerned

duty based approach

some acts are right or wrong because of the sorts of things they are, and people have a duty to act accordingly, regardless of the good or bad consequences that may be produced.

virtues-based approach

an approach to bioethics that emphasises the individual goodness of the agent, and promotes acting in accordance with the values of a 'moral' person, such as honesty and compassion

opinion

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

anecdote

short account of event

fact

A statement that can be proved.

public opinion

how people think or feel about particular things

intellectual property

A product of the intellect, such as an expressed idea or concept, that has commercial value.

peer reviewed

the evaluation of a professional colleague's work

Plagiarism

taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas

Stakeholders

any persons or groups who will be affected by an action or issue

integrity

the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and communication of results, whether favourable or unfavourable, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding.

Justice

the moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and that there is fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action.

Benefience

the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position or course of action.

Non-maleficence

involves avoiding the causations of harm. However, as positions or courses of actions in scientific research may involve some degree of harm, the concept of non-maleficence implies that the harm resulting from any position or course of action should not be disproportionate to the benefits from any position or course of action.

Respect

involves consideration of the extent to which living things have an intrinsic value and/or instrumental value; giving due regard to the welfare, liberty and autonomy, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective; consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions; and when living things have diminished capacity to make their own decisions ensuring that they are empowered where possible and protected as necessary.