Bioethics is a field of study where issues of moral and ethical dimensions are addressed, which relate research, decisions, conduct and procedures in the area of biology and medicine to the right to life.
4 Principles Of Bioethics.
The concept of bioethics is interdisciplinary and covers areas such as biology, law, philosophy, exact sciences, political science, medicine, environment, etc.
In Brazil, one of the main responsible for the expansion of this concept is the Sociedade Brasileira de Bioética (SBB), founded in 1995.
According to the Jornal do Cremesp published in April of the same year, the purpose of the meeting that later culminated in the creation of SBB was:
Stimulate discussions in the Society on controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted reproduction and genetic engineering and other problems related to life, death and human existence, but always aiming at the debate on ethical aspects.
The principles of bioethics
Two issues predominate in the definition of bioethics: biological knowledge and human values.
It is subdivided into basic principles that seek to solve ethical problems arising during the development of procedures with living beings of all species.
As far as medical ethics is concerned, Hippocrates is a name that stands out. Considered the “father of medicine”, the Greek physician used to combine medicine and philosophy.
The focus of his relationship with the patient was the good, and his approach was mainly guided by two principles: the principle of non-maleficence and the principle of beneficence.
1. Principle of non-maleficence
The principle of non-maleficence is based on the idea that no harm should be done to another. Thus, no action consisting of intentional harm to guinea pigs or patients is permitted.
The principle is represented by the Latin phrase: primum non nocere (first, do no harm). It aims to prevent a treatment or research from causing more harm than possible benefits.
Some scholars argue that the principle of maleficence is, in fact, part of the principle of beneficence, since the act of not causing harm to the other is, in itself, a practice of good.
Example of bioethics in the application of the principle of non-maleficence : In research for the development of a vaccine, the testing phase on humans has arrived.
Tests showed that in 70% of cases, patients who received the vaccine were cured, but 30% died as a result of side effects.
The studies will be interrupted and the vaccine will not be able to be produced despite a high cure rate, causing people to die is causing harm and violates the principle of non-maleficence.
2. Principle of beneficence
This principle consists of doing good; in virtue of benefiting others.
Thus, professionals working in the area of research and experiments must ensure the accuracy of the technical information they have and be convinced that their actions and decisions have positive effects.
In this way, it is expected that any act has as its fundamental objective good, never evil.
Example of bioethics in the application of the principle of beneficence : a doctor is helping a patient who is at risk of death. This patient is a known murderer.
This doctor’s goal will always be to save her patient’s life and she will mobilize all alternatives to make that happen.
According to the principle of beneficence, one should only aim at the good. Negligence or omission (even if it could be justified) would be an evil and would harm the bioethical principle.
3. Principle of autonomy
The central idea of this principle is that everyone has the ability and freedom to make their own decisions.
Thus, any type of procedure to be performed on an individual’s body and/or that is related to his life must be authorized by him.
In the case of children and disabled people, the principle of autonomy must be practiced by their family or legal guardian.
It is important that this principle not be practiced to the detriment of the principle of beneficence; sometimes it needs to be disrespected so that one person’s decision does not harm another.
The principle of autonomy is supported by law, under the Brazilian Code of Medical Ethics (Chapter V, Article 31).
This article highlights the patient’s right to have their autonomy respected, in the following section where it is indicated that the doctor is prohibited from:
(…) disrespecting the right of the patient or his legal representative to decide freely on the performance of diagnostic or therapeutic practices, except in cases of imminent risk of death
An example of bioethics in the application of the principle of autonomy : when a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness, there are no treatments that can cure him. Generally, what is done in these cases is to give the patient palliative care, so that he feels relieved of the symptoms of the illness that affects him.
However, it is up to the patient to decide whether or not to proceed with this palliative care, as they do not make cure possible; they only alleviate (sometimes) the harmful effects of the disease.
It is up to the medical professional to respect the patient’s decision if he does not want to receive such care.
4. Principle of justice
In the field of bioethics, this principle is based on distributive justice and equity.
He argues that the distribution of health services should be done fairly and that there should be equal treatment for all individuals.
Such equality does not consist in giving the same to everyone, but in giving each one what each one needs.
Example of bioethics in the application of the principle of justice : a real case that exemplifies the principle of justice took place in Oregon, in the United States.
With the aim of providing basic health care to a greater number of people, the local government reduced the cost of health care.
In this way, it was possible to carry out a wider distribution of available resources in order to help solve the problems of a larger part of the population.
