HANDOUT 5

Bioethics

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

Medical ethics

is primarily focused on patient care, doctor-patient relationships, and clinical decisions,

such as informed consent, confidentiality, and end-of-life care.

Genetic Engineering and Cloning

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

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

Biotechnology and Human Enhancement

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

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

Environmental Bioethics

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

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

Animal Experimentation balances

scientific progress with the humane treatment of animals in research.

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

Artificial Intelligence in Biological Research

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

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

Medical ethics

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

Hippocratic Oath

Medical ethics comes from the _____, an ethical pledge that physicians make. It also focuses on being kind, respecting patients' choices, and ensuring their safety.

four pillars of medical ethics

provide a framework for ethical decision-making in medicine. These principles guide healthcare professionals in their daily activities and interactions with patients.

Autonomy

means patients have the right to make their own healthcare decisions. It is based on the idea that people can make informed choices about their bodies and treatments. Healthcare providers must respect a mentally competent and well-informed patient's decisions, even if they personally disagree.

Key Aspects:

• Securing informed consent before any procedure.

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

• Ensuring patients have all relevant information to make decisions.

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

Beneficence

means acting in the best interest of the patient. It requires healthcare providers to take measures that promote well-being and contribute to the patient's health and recovery.

Key Aspects:

• Offering treatments that enhance patient health.

• Encouraging proactive and preventive healthcare measures.

• Assessing potential benefits and risks of medical interventions.

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

Non-maleficence

is the principle of “do no harm”. Healthcare professionals must not cause unnecessary harm or suffering. They should carefully examine the risks and guarantee that treatments offer more benefits than harm.

Key Aspects:

• Avoiding unnecessary or excessive treatments.

• Reducing risks and potential side effects.

• Carefully weighing benefits against possible harm.

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

Key Aspects:

• Ensuring a fair distribution of healthcare resources.

• Providing equal and unbiased treatment for all patients.

• Promoting accessibility to medical care for everyone.

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