What is Bioethics? Ethics- examining and understanding choices. Ethics- examining and understanding choices. The discipline dealing with what is good and bad, and with moral duty and obligation. The discipline dealing with what is good and bad, and with moral duty and obligation. The principles of conduct governing an individual or group. The principles of conduct governing an individual or group. Ethic – A set of moral principles and values. Ethic – A set of moral principles and values. “Individual Ethic” – Your personal view of what is right and wrong regarding a specific issue. “Individual Ethic” – Your personal view of what is right and wrong regarding a specific issue. Ethics deals with what “ought to be” not with “what is”! Ethics deals with what “ought to be” not with “what is”!

What is Bioethics? Bioethics- studies right and wrong in the life sciences. Bioethics- studies right and wrong in the life sciences. Medical: Dealing with doctors’ role, medical research, human life. Medical: Dealing with doctors’ role, medical research, human life. Environmental: Dealing with nature, habitats, and population. Environmental: Dealing with nature, habitats, and population. Social Sciences: Dealing with human nature and behavior. Social Sciences: Dealing with human nature and behavior.

History of Bioethics Medical Ethics Medical Ethics Centuries old discipline. Centuries old discipline. Numerous codes of conduct, including the Hippocratic Oath (“first, do no harm…”) Numerous codes of conduct, including the Hippocratic Oath (“first, do no harm…”) Bioethics emerges in the 1960’s. Bioethics emerges in the 1960’s. Medical technology advances: Medical technology advances: Kidney dialysis, Organ transplantation, Abortion, The Pill, shift toward death in hospitals. Kidney dialysis, Organ transplantation, Abortion, The Pill, shift toward death in hospitals. Rise of Environmentalism: Rise of Environmentalism: Silent Spring (Rachel Carson) Silent Spring (Rachel Carson) Cultural Changes: Cultural Changes: Civil Rights, Feminism Civil Rights, Feminism

Bioethics is Multidisciplinary Philosophy & Religion: Philosophy & Religion: Rooted in Tradition. Rooted in Tradition. Medicine: Medicine: Traditional roots. Traditional roots. Personal and Social concerns. Personal and Social concerns. Social & Policy Sciences: Social & Policy Sciences: Legal, social, political, & policy concerns. Legal, social, political, & policy concerns. Biology/Ecology: Biology/Ecology: Environmental sciences. Environmental sciences. Scientific understanding of life. Scientific understanding of life.

What does a bioethical issue look like? It is a controversial issue. It is a controversial issue. It relates to life sciences. It relates to life sciences. The question could be asked; The question could be asked; “Should”……… or “Is…… ethical” “Should”……… or “Is…… ethical” Example: Example: “Is abortion in the 2 nd trimester ethical? “Is abortion in the 2 nd trimester ethical? “Should women in their 2 nd trimester of pregnancy be allowed to have abortions? “Should women in their 2 nd trimester of pregnancy be allowed to have abortions?

Bioethical Questions Moral Questions: Moral Questions: Private choice vs. Public standards. Private choice vs. Public standards. Personal Questions: Personal Questions: What kind of person should I be… What kind of person should I be… What are my duties and obligations to others… What are my duties and obligations to others… What do I owe to the common good… What do I owe to the common good…

Bioethical Questions Bioethical questions involve moral conflict: Bioethical questions involve moral conflict: Moral conflict is a problem that requires a choice. Moral conflict is a problem that requires a choice. The consequences of the choice are painful no matter what action you take. The consequences of the choice are painful no matter what action you take.

Moral Behavior Moral Behavior- an individual or group’s interpretation of what is an acceptable action or choice. Moral Behavior- an individual or group’s interpretation of what is an acceptable action or choice. Example: A young women suffers a massive stroke and is kept breathing only with a ventilator. Example: A young women suffers a massive stroke and is kept breathing only with a ventilator. Issue: “Should the ventilator be shut off?” Issue: “Should the ventilator be shut off?”

Moral Conflict and Behavior Perspectives: ways of viewing the world from a different lens “putting yourself in someone else's shoes”. Perspectives: ways of viewing the world from a different lens “putting yourself in someone else's shoes”. Family Family Doctor Doctor Insurance company Insurance company Values influence choices. When values are on opposite ends decisions become sources of conflict.

Key Bioethical Considerations  How do you define “Good”?  Good- varies across groups and societies.  Culture, religion, gender, and generation gaps influence what one considers good.  Different perspectives

Key Bioethical Considerations  Utility  Assess costs or risks vs. benefits.  Financial costs & benefits.  Social or moral costs & benefits.  Measure “good” to promote the greatest happiness for the most people.

Key Bioethical Considerations  Beneficence: The practice of good deeds.  Refraining from harm.  Actively doing good.  Limits to beneficence:  Duty to self.  Feasibility (limited human capacity).

Key Bioethical Considerations  Autonomy (Self-Determination)  Freedom to follow one’s own will.  “Good” defined by the recipient of an action, rather than by the actor.  Individuals think and choose for themselves.  Our autonomy is limited by many factors.  Legal, cultural, religious, traditional, financial.

Key Bioethical Considerations  Autonomy thought exercise.  Imagine a wealthy woman with a painful, terminal illness, considering assisted suicide.  How might her choice be affected by:  Her culture & religion.  Her family

Key Bioethical Considerations  Autonomy thought exercise.  Imagine yourself alone on an island. How would your behavior be different with no other people around?

Key Bioethical Considerations  Values: Ideas or images that explain why something matters to us.  Positive vs. negative values.  Organic values: Life, health, vigor…  Moral values: Rights & duties.  Values & Action: We act to promote our values.  Shared values are required for a society to exist.