Bioethics: What is and principles

The broader definition of bioethics defines it as that discipline in charge of address different problems of morality of human beings, linked to different actions and advances in biology as experimental and functional science. In this way, Bioethics It is characterized by incorporating the vision and values ​​of ethics, when making decisions within the scientific, political, technological, and even philosophical fields of biology.

In the next sections of this article we will focus on knowing the main characteristics of bioethics, based on the basic principles that constitute it.

To know What is Bioethicsit is essential to know the main principles on which it is based, because in them the function and role that bioethics meets as discipline are reflected. As a summary, these are the 4 Principles of Bioethics:

1. Principle of respect for autonomy: This first principle of bioethics focuses on establishing that the freedom of choice and decision of people should always be respected. Each individual is considered in itself as a person without limitations when deciding on their health and other issues related to biological sciences.
2. Principle of beneficence: From this principle, bioethics seeks to relate the costs and benefits of all those actions and decisions made by human beings in relation to the ethical values ​​of a biological fact. The ultimate goal will be to bet on the benefit of the individual, as well as avoid all damage to third parties that may be directly or indirectly involved, with these decisions.
3. Principle of non -maleficence: It is of vital importance to include in bioethics this principle focused on the prohibition and abolition of any action that entails negative effects of different kinds, in some or several of the areas in which bioethics acts (biological, political, philosophical, among others).
4. Principle of Justice: The fourth and final principle of bioethics committed to equity, equal opportunities and the fair and equitable distribution of those responsibilities linked to the costs, risks and benefits of bioethical decisions taken. It also takes into account the rights and materials participating in these decisions.

In this section we include simple and common examples in which bioethics performs an important task when people are capable and responsible for make the most ethical decisions and adequate. Take note of these examples of bioethics To understand it better:

• Abortions
• Euthanasia.
• Organ transplants.
• Blood and/or medulla donation.
• Assisted reproduction.
• Invitro fertilization.
• Artificial insemination.
• Ovules and sperm donation.
• Human and animal cloning.
• Tested of pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, tobacco and other chemicals in animals. To learn more about this, you can consult this other ecology article about how to know if a product is tested in animals.
• Medical research, as well as biological, pharmacological and technological in animals and in people.
• Human Genetic Engineering.
• Research and clinical trials with stem cells.
• Use of drugs as a remedy against diseases and pain treatments.
• Nanotechnologies and reprogenetics.
• Animal Law and humanization.
• Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Development. In this other post we expand this concept explaining the definition of sustainable development with examples.
• Use of chemical and nuclear weapons.
• Use of renewable and non -renewable energies. Enter this link if you want to learn more about what renewable and non -renewable energies and examples are.
• Mitigation and/or/or in the face of climate change and climatic crisis. If you are interested in this point, we recommend you read this other post about the causes and consequences of climate change.
• Protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

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