Ética Aplicada y Bioética - Presentación tema 3: Aproximación a la bioética - Mª Teresa Ortiz

Summary

This video explores the origins and development of bioethics, a discipline created by biochemist and oncologist Potter in the 1970s. Potter recognized the growing divide between science/technology and humanism, which led to the need for bioethics as a bridge between biological sciences and ethical values. The core question of bioethics is whether something technically possible is ethically good. The video delves into the four foundational principles of bioethics—autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice—and how they evolve in various bioethical theories, especially focusing on personalist bioethics, which emphasizes the absolute value of human life, the connection between life, truth, and freedom, and the moral limits of technological advancements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bioethics was pioneered by Potter, a biochemist and oncology professor, who observed the threats facing humanity in the 1970s due to biological imbalances, ecosystem pollution, and technological manipulation.
• 😀 Bioethics serves as a bridge between life sciences and ethical sciences, merging humanistic values with biological facts to ensure human survival and improve the quality of life.
• 😀 A key question in bioethics is whether everything that is technically possible is ethically good.
• 😀 Bioethics is grounded in four fundamental principles: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice.
• 😀 Autonomy refers to the priority of the patient's rights and decisions in the healthcare relationship.
• 😀 Non-maleficence stresses the importance of avoiding harm in medical practices.
• 😀 Beneficence ensures that professional actions are aimed at providing benefits to individuals.
• 😀 Justice emphasizes the need for fairness and non-discrimination in healthcare and other areas.
• 😀 Various bioethical theories have emerged, including principialism, utilitarianism, liberal radical bioethics, deontological bioethics, and personalist bioethics.
• 😀 Personalist bioethics, the main focus of the script, emphasizes the absolute and inviolable value of human life, the relationship between life, truth, and freedom, and the importance of using knowledge for cure and help, not manipulation.
• 😀 The principle of double effect in personalist bioethics states that actions must have good or neutral effects, the intention behind the action must be good, there must be no alternatives, and the positive effect must outweigh the negative.

Q & A

What is the origin of bioethics according to the transcript?

Bioethics originated in the 1970s with Porter, a biochemist and oncology professor, who recognized the growing gap between scientific and technological advancements and humanist values. He proposed bioethics as a discipline to bridge this divide.

What were the primary concerns that led to the development of bioethics?

The primary concerns were the threats to human life caused by biological imbalances, ecosystem pollution, and the unchecked power of technology, which were disrupting the balance between science and humanist values.

What is the key question bioethics seeks to answer?

Bioethics seeks to answer whether everything that is technically possible is ethically good, especially in the context of healthcare and technological advances.

What are the four foundational principles of bioethics?

The four foundational principles are autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. These principles guide medical and ethical decision-making, ensuring patient rights and moral considerations are prioritized.

What does the principle of autonomy entail in bioethics?

The principle of autonomy emphasizes that the patient's right to make decisions about their own healthcare should take priority. It stresses individual self-determination and informed consent.

What is the principle of non-maleficence in bioethics?

Non-maleficence is the principle that requires healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients. It highlights the moral obligation to do no harm in medical practice.

How does beneficence guide medical practice in bioethics?

Beneficence requires that healthcare professionals always aim to provide benefit and promote the well-being of the patient, ensuring that medical actions have a positive impact on the patient’s health.

What is the principle of justice in bioethics?

Justice in bioethics demands fairness and equality in healthcare, ensuring that no one is discriminated against or excluded from medical treatment based on race, gender, or other personal conditions.

What is personalist bioethics, and how does it differ from other bioethical theories?

Personalist bioethics places the absolute value on human life and human dignity, emphasizing the inviolability of life. It asserts that not everything technically possible is morally acceptable and emphasizes that medical interventions should focus on helping people, not manipulating them.

What does the principle of double effect mean in bioethics?

The principle of double effect states that an action is morally acceptable if it is inherently good or neutral, with the intention being good, and the negative side effects are proportionate to the positive effects. The action should also be necessary, with no alternative options available.