CASE NUMBER 2: MR. CARRERA

Case Number 2: Mr. Carrera

Case Number 2: Mr. Carrera

Introduction

Bioethics broadly describes the philosophical analysis of moral dilemmas, which arise from the development and application of biological and life sciences, often through such practices as medicine. Bioethics became a formal academic discipline in the late 1960s, developed through such institutions as The Hastings Center, which formalized research within academic journals and books. However, principles of bioethical concern have been apparent in a range of social practices for centuries.

Twentieth-century bioethics was dominated by a global effort to protect human subjects from exploitative practices. In the post-World War II era, these interests focused on governmental experimentation, but quickly expanded to include a range of institutionalized practices that affect individuals and communities, including the military, elite sport, healthcare, and employment. Theoretical approaches to bioethics in this era were characterized by a top-down derivation of principles, which aimed to provide overarching guidelines through which to codify ethical practice. Subsequently, bioethical theory critiqued the de-contextualized approach of principle-based ethics and emphasized the complexity of real-world ethical decision making by developing a bottom-up or case-based (casuistry) approach.

However, broadly speaking, approaches to bioethics encompass three main forms of moral reasoning (1) consequentialism (concerned primarily to maximize good outcomes); (2) deontology (concerned with the obligations we hold); and (3) virtue theory (concerned with what kind of character good people should have).

In this context, 21st-century bioethics faces a number of transformations. Primarily, there is a growing fragmentation of ethical communities (research and practice), which is giving rise to new terminologies, such as nano-ethics or neuro-ethics. This fragmentation has been evident for some years through the overlapping ground between bioethics and medical ethics or environmental ethics. However, it is evident that this fragmentation will continue to grow through more specialist inquiries into subjects that include, for instance, the emerging subjects of information ethics, or the ethics of outer space. In the next section, we will examine a case study and discuss the issues presented in the study, with reference to bioethics.

Discussion & Analysis

Fundamental principles of bioethics

This principle requires two fairly obvious moral duties themselves: do good and avoid evil. These duties of the physician already appeared in the Hippocratic Oath. Beneficence requires action when the doctor knows how to contribute to the welfare of his patient and is actually able to take the action appropriate. Charity based medical practice as a helping relationship in which professional acting in the interest of his patient. Nonmaleficence requires abstention from any act that would be bad for the patient, "evil" being understood in the broadest sense and not only in strictly clinical. The duty of nonmaleficence is not only wrong clinic, but all forms of harm, whether from ignorance unacknowledged, intent or negligence, whether physical, psychological or social.

Autonomy is the ability to move from his own will. This principle states that the person is master of itself and that it has to decide for itself what suits him. The recognition of the autonomy provides protection against any ...