Bioethics: what it is and principles

The broadest 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, basing ourselves on the basic principles that constitute it.

to know What is bioethics?it is essential to know the main principles on which it is based, since they reflect the function and role that bioethics fulfills as a discipline. 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 people’s freedom of choice and decision must always be respected. Each individual is considered in themselves as a person without limitations when deciding about their health and other issues linked 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 objective will be to bet on the benefit of the individual, as well as to avoid any harm to third parties who may be directly or indirectly involved with said decisions.
3. Principle of non-maleficence: It is vitally important to include within bioethics this principle focused on the prohibition and abolition of all actions that entail negative effects of different kinds, in one or more of the areas in which bioethics operates (biological, political, philosophical, among others).
4. Principle of justice: The fourth and final principle of bioethics is committed to equity, equal opportunities and the fair and equitable distribution of those responsibilities linked to the costs, risks and benefits of the bioethical decisions taken. It also takes into account the rights and materials involved in said decisions.

In this section we include simple and common examples in which bioethics plays an important role in ensuring that 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.
• Donation of organs, blood and/or marrow.
• Assisted reproduction.
• In vitro fertilization.
• Artificial insemination.
• Egg and sperm donation.
• Human and animal cloning.
• Testing of pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, tobacco and other chemical products on animals. To learn more about it, you can consult this other article from Evidence Network on How to know if a product is tested on animals.
• Medical, as well as biological, pharmacological and technological research in animals and 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 rights and humanization.
• Environmental ethics and sustainable development. In this other post we expand this concept by explaining the Definition of sustainable development with examples.
• Use of chemical and nuclear weapons.
• Use of renewable and non-renewable energies. Go to this link if you want to learn more about what renewable and non-renewable energies are and examples.
• Mitigation measures and/or measures against climate change and the climate 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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