Bioethics Exam 2

What is the key principle of Natural Law Ethics?

Morality is based on the natural order and reason; moral norms arise from human nature.

What does Kantian Ethics emphasize?

Duty, moral law, and acting according to universal principles regardless of consequences.

What is the Categorical Imperative?

Act only according to maxims you would want to become universal laws.

What is the foundation of Divine Command Theory?

Morality is grounded in God's commands and revelation.

What is the main idea of Utilitarianism?

The moral action produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

What is Situational Ethics based on?

The most loving action (Agape love) determines the right thing to do.

What is the focus of Virtue Ethics?

Developing good character and virtues to naturally make moral decisions.

What is the Hippocratic Tradition known for?

Establishing 'do good' and 'do no harm' as the core duties of healthcare.

What are the 4 key principles of Medical Principlism?

Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Justice, and Autonomy.

Define Beneficence.

Acting for the good of others and promoting their well-being.

Define Nonmaleficence.

The duty to 'do no harm.'

Define Justice.

Fair and equitable treatment; distributing benefits and burdens equally.

Define Autonomy.

The right of competent individuals to make informed choices about their care.

What is Veracity?

The commitment to truth-telling in patient relationships.

Define Confidentiality.

The obligation to protect patient information from disclosure.

What is Medical Futility?

A situation where further treatment is unlikely to benefit the patient.

What is Clinical Equipoise?

The ethical assumption that no treatment in a study is known to be superior before randomization.

What is the Nuremberg Code?

A post-WWII document establishing voluntary consent and avoidance of harm in human research.

What did the Declaration of Helsinki add?

Risk-benefit analysis, protection of vulnerable groups, and ethical review.

What is the Belmont Report?

Defines three ethical principles for research: Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice.

What is the difference between Clinical Practice and Research?

Practice benefits an individual; research aims for generalizable knowledge.

Define Respect for Persons.

Individuals have the right to make autonomous decisions about participation.

Define Beneficence in research.

Researchers must minimize risks and maximize benefits for participants.

Define Justice in research.

Fair selection and equal distribution of research benefits and burdens.

What does IRB stand for?

Institutional Review Board.

What is the function of an IRB?

To review, approve, and monitor human research for ethical compliance.

What are the types of IRB review?

Exempt, Expedited, and Full Review.

What are examples of vulnerable populations in research?

Children, prisoners, pregnant women, and the cognitively impaired.

What does IACUC stand for?

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

What is the function of an IACUC?

To review and monitor animal research for humane treatment and compliance.

What are the 3 Rs of animal research ethics?

Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement.

Define Replacement.

Using non-animal alternatives when possible.

Define Reduction.

Using the fewest animals necessary to achieve goals.

Define Refinement.

Minimizing pain and distress; improving animal welfare.

What does the Animal Welfare Act protect?

All warm-blooded animals except rats, mice, and birds bred for research.

What are the additional Rs proposed in modern animal ethics?

Reuse, Respect, Rehabilitate, and Responsibility.

What are conflicts of interest in research?

When personal or financial interests could bias study design or outcomes.

What must researchers do when they have a conflict of interest?

Disclose it to the IRB or IACUC for review.

Why is AI in research ethically controversial?

It can produce fabricated or misleading data and obscure accountability.

What are examples of research misconduct?

Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism of data.