MMB2308: Ethics and Risks in Medical Microbiology

Flashcards covering key concepts related to ethics and risks in medical microbiology, focusing on ethical principles, types of risks, and the role of ethics committees.

Ethics

A system of moral principles that affect how people make decisions and lead their lives.

Meta-ethics

A branch of ethics that deals with the nature of moral judgments, focusing on the origins and meanings of ethical principles.

Normative ethics

Concerned with the content of moral judgments and the criteria for determining what is right or wrong.

Applied ethics

Focuses on controversial issues such as war, animal rights, and capital punishment, applying moral considerations to real-world scenarios.

Moral realism

The belief that there are objective moral facts or truths in the universe that moral statements aim to describe.

Subjectivism

The view that moral judgments are merely expressions of personal feelings or attitudes and do not convey objective truths.

Emotivism

The theory that moral claims express emotional reactions rather than factual statements about ethical properties.

Prescriptivism

The perspective that treats moral statements as recommendations or instructions for action.

Principle of autonomy

Refers to the right of individuals to make informed and voluntary decisions regarding their own health care.

Non-maleficence

The ethical principle of not inflicting harm or injury on others in the pursuit of beneficial outcomes.

Beneficence

The obligation to act for the benefit of others, promoting good and ensuring a net positive effect on health.

Justice in research

The ethical principle ensuring equitable distribution of burdens and benefits in human subjects research.

Risks in Biomedical Research

The probability of harm or injury occurring as a result of participation in research studies.

Legal risks

Potential liabilities that may arise due to methods used in research that could lead to violations of laws.

Confidentiality

The ethical requirement to keep sensitive information obtained from research subjects private.

Physical risks

Risks associated with injury, illness, or pain that may occur as a result of research procedures.

Risk assessment

The process of identifying, evaluating, and determining how to manage potential risks in research.

Ethics committees

Groups tasked with reviewing and monitoring research involving human participants to ensure ethical compliance.

Informed consent

The process by which researchers ensure participants understand the nature, risks, and benefits of a study.

Distributive justice

The ethical principle concerned with the fair allocation of resources and benefits within society.