05 Handout 1: Bioethics and Medical Ethics

Bioethics

It encompasses broader ethical concerns in biology, medicine, technology, and global health, including genetic engineering, AI, and environmental ethics.

Medical ethics

It is primarily focused on patient care, doctor-patient relationships, and clinical decisions, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and end-of-life care.

1. Genetic Engineering and Cloning

2. Biotechnology and Human Enhancement

3. Environmental Bioethics

4. Animal Experimentation

5. Artificial Intelligence in Biological Research

These are Common Bioethical Issues.

Genetic Engineering and Cloning

They refer to ethical concerns regarding modifying genes, designer babies, and cloning.

Genetic Engineering and Cloning

Example: “Scientists utilize gene editing to cure a hereditary disease while ensuring ethical oversight and transparency.”

Biotechnology and Human Enhancement

They refer to ethical dilemmas in using technology to enhance physical and cognitive abilities.

Biotechnology and Human Enhancement

Example: “Athletes use gene therapy to enhance muscle growth, which raises concerns about fairness in sports.”

Environmental Bioethics

It refers to ethical responsibilities in genetic modification, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability.

Environmental Bioethics

Example: “Scientists develop drought-resistant crops to address food shortages while considering environmental impacts.”

Animal Experimentation

It balances scientific progress with the humane treatment of animals in research.

Animal Experimentation

Example: “Researchers use alternative testing methods, such as lab-grown tissues, to reduce animal suffering.”

Artificial Intelligence in Biological Research

It refers to ethical concerns about AI’s role in decision-making and genetic analysis.

Artificial Intelligence in Biological Research

Example: “AI predicts disease risks based on genetic data, raising concerns about data privacy and consent.”

Medical ethics

It is about the rules and principles doctors follow to make the right decisions in healthcare.

Hippocratic Oath

Medical ethics came from this; which is an ethical pledge that physicians make.

Medical ethics

In general, it affirms that doctors make decisions with patients' well-being and fairness.

1. Autonomy

2. Beneficence

3. Non-maleficence

4. Justice

These are Four Pillars of Medical Ethics.

Four Pillars of Medical Ethics

This provide a framework for ethical decision-making in medicine.

Autonomy

It means patients have the right to make their own healthcare decisions.

Autonomy

It is based on the idea that people can make informed choices about their bodies and treatments.

Autonomy

Healthcare providers must respect a mentally competent and well-informed patient's decisions, even if they personally disagree.

1. Securing informed consent before any procedure.

2. Honoring a patient’s choice to accept or decline treatment.

3. Ensuring patients have all relevant information to make decisions.

Autonomy - Key Aspects:

Autonomy

Example: “A 65-year-old patient refuses cancer surgery after understanding the risks. The doctor disagrees but respects the informed decision.”

Beneficence

It means acting in the best interest of the patient.

Beneficence

It requires healthcare providers to take measures that promote well-being and contribute to the patient's health and recovery.

1. Offering treatments that enhance patient health.

2. Encouraging proactive and preventive healthcare measures.

3. Assessing potential benefits and risks of medical interventions.

Beneficence - Key Aspects:

Beneficence

Example: “A doctor prescribes physical therapy for a stroke patient to improve mobility and quality of life.”

Non-maleficence

It is the principle of “do no harm.”

Non-maleficence

Healthcare professionals must not cause unnecessary harm or suffering.

Non-maleficence

They should carefully examine the risks and guarantee that treatments offer more benefits than harm.

1. Avoiding unnecessary or excessive treatments.

2. Reducing risks and potential side effects.

3. Carefully weighing benefits against possible harm.

Non-maleficence - Key Aspects:

Non-maleficence

Example: “A doctor avoids prescribing a strong painkiller with severe side effects for mild pain and opts for a safer alternative instead.”

Justice

In medical ethics, it means fairness in healthcare.

Justice

It ensures all patients get equal treatment, regardless of background, financial status, or other factors.

1. Ensuring a fair distribution of healthcare resources.

2. Providing equal and unbiased treatment for all patients.

3. Promoting accessibility to medical care for everyone.

Justice - Key Aspects:

Justice

Example: “A hospital provides the same quality treatment to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay or social status.”

Lab-grown tissues

To reduce animal suffering, researchers use this as an alternative testing method for animal experimentation.

Autonomy

Key Aspect: Securing informed consent before any procedure.

Autonomy

Key Aspect: Honoring a patient’s choice to accept or decline treatment.

Autonomy

Key Aspect: Ensuring patients have all relevant information to make decisions.

Beneficence

Key Aspect: Offering treatments that enhance patient health.

Beneficence

Key Aspect: Encouraging proactive and preventive healthcare measures.

Beneficence

Key Aspect: Assessing potential benefits and risks of medical interventions.

Non-maleficence

Key Aspect: Avoiding unnecessary or excessive treatments.

Non-maleficence

Key Aspect: Reducing risks and potential side effects.

Non-maleficence

Key Aspect: Carefully weighing benefits against possible harm.

Justice

Key Aspect: Ensuring a fair distribution of healthcare resources.

Justice

Key Aspect: Providing equal and unbiased treatment for all patients.

Justice

Key Aspect: Promoting accessibility to medical care for everyone.