VCE Bioethics

What is ethics, and why is it important?

  • A field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgement and determine what’s right and wrong

  • Bioethics is the study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and medicine

  • Biologists are often faced with ethical issues, for which they have to make decisions off a variety of justifications

Areas that frequently involve bioethics include:

  • Biotechnology

  • Environmental conservation

  • Healthcare research


Approaches to bioethics:

In VCE Biology, you are particularly required to use three approaches:

  • Consequences-based approach: aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes

  • Duty/Rule-based approach: promotes the responsibility of the agent above all else, and places importance on the duty of each individual

  • Virtues-based approach: emphasises the individual goodness of the agent, and promotes acting in accordance with the values of a “moral” person


Ethical Concepts:

  1. Integrity: This encourages individuals to act truthfully and honestly, especially when presenting findings, results or products (honesty)

  2. Justice: Prioritises the fair distribution of resources, as well as equal access to the benefits of an action, policy, investigation or research (equity, fairness)

  3. Beneficence: The commitment to maximising benefits and promotes wellbeing and good for other persons (benefits > harm)

  4. Non-Maleficence: This prioritises minimising harm, sometimes to the detriment of the freedom of choice (reducing damage)

  5. Respect: Encourages individuals to consider the values of others to make their own decisions and be protected from persecution (freedom of choice/agency, virtues)