Bioethics: The Good, The Bad, The Free, The Just

Today, I am going to talk to you about bioethics and how they can be useful not just in medicine but in the entire world we live.

What are bioethics you ask?

Lets dive in!

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"Bio" referring to health related science and "ethics" referring to moral principles that guide a person's behavior.

Bioethics is understood to be the ethical implications and applications as it applies to healthcare research and medicine.

An ever evolving philosophy!

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What are the four major principles of Bioethics?

1. Nonmaleficence - do no harm
2. Respect for autonomy - freedom of choice
3. Beneficence - do good
4. Justice - do what is right

What do all of these things really mean in detail?

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1. Nonmaleficence- the idea that one should not intentionally create harm to a patient

Following this principle is an obligation by professionals to protect their patients at all cost

Although mistakes may occur, competence is still required.

Lets look at an example...

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Medicine in itself is a weighing game of risk versus benefit. There are times that the best choice is simply the choice with less risks.

Patient's with terminal cancer come to mind. They may choose to forego CPR if it means a less painful, prolonged death.

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It is the duty of the medical provider to provide the patient with these options as to give them the ability to choose.

The reason being that a delayed, painful death could be seen as worse than death, a greater harm.

The patient must understand which is more harmful.

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2. Respect for Autonomy - the ability of the patient to understand all options and make rational, well-informed decisions.

The provider must provide these options and be free of any bias or influence as to not affect the patient's decision.

Another example...

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The provider should not only respect the autonomous choices of a patient but act in a way to promote them.

Jehovah's Witness do not believe in blood transfusions. In a life saving situation, the decision of not accepting blood could be a fatal outcome for the patient...

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In order to respect autonomy of the patient, the provider must explain all options and in turn completely follow and agree to the patient's wishes in the matter.

This may be difficult but it is essential to promoting freedom of choice as it applies to medicine.

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3. Beneficence - the goal of promoting and taking steps to benefit the patient as it pertains to plan of care

This is the very basis for goals of medicine in the modern world. A sick person comes to the hospital and providers have a moral obligation to help them.

Example.

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A good example of when beneficence overtakes the other principles is in the event of unconsciousness or incapacity.

In trauma situations, the provider has an obligation to provide what is necessary for the good of the patient assuming that it is what they would want.

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Beneficence can also be prioritized if the patient's autonomy is compromised such as a psych situation. In these cases, the patient's autonomy says they want to kill themself but the provider must act in a way assuming that the patient is not of competent sound and mind.

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4. Justice - the fair distribution of goods in society regardless of race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, or past history

As medical providers, they have an obligation to provide equal care to everyone. Bias and outside opinion aside

Example...

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An example of this could be in the treatment of non-incarcerated people and incarcerated people.

If a murderer is in the hospital, the provider musn't allow their own opinion of the act to influence the care that is provided

Everyone is equal. Everyone deserves equal care

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Now that I have bored you to death with the details of bioethics and how they apply to medicine.

Lets talk about how these principles can be applied to life and how you live

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Autonomy is an easy one. Allow people to make their own choice. Respect that choice and move on with your life.

If people are of sound and mind then it is our obligation as people to respect the choice they make regardless if you agree with it or not.

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Nonmaleficence in the real world is another word for respect and compassion. Do not intentionally do something that you know will hurt someone.

Do not logically think through options and choose the one that harms other. It really is that simple. Be kind. Be loving.

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Beneficence goes hand in hand with nonmaleficence. If you are faced with a chance to help someone then do it.

If more people in this world would put aside ego, there would be a lot more compassion in this world. You don't have to cure world hunger. Just help one person.

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Justice is something a lot of us need to practice in this day and age. Look at people for who they are on the inside.

Cliche I know but we must move and break through these barriers of gender, race, socioeconomic status and simply love people for who they are.

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If you learned anything from this thread, I hope that you learned some ways to step back and think about certain situations before you make a decision.

You and you alone are responsible for your actions so be logical, be compassionate, be kind, and do not be selfish.

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Source: https://depts.washington.edu/bhdept/ethics-medicine/bioethics-topics/articles/principles-bioethics