Medical Ethics and the Hippocratic Oath

The study of ethical issues related to medical advancements and biotechnology, focusing on societal needs and the future of human life.

A branch of applied ethics that examines ethical issues in medical practice.

A specific area of ethics that applies ethical principles to practical situations.

A significant area of bioethics that emerged in the 1960s due to scientific advancements, growing public awareness of ethical concerns, and social movements.

Bioethics became recognized as an academic field in the 1980s.

The agreement involved collecting blood samples from Tongan people for genetic research.

Tonga has a relatively isolated population with minimal immigration, making it a unique environment for genetic studies.

Tonga experienced a high incidence of diabetes and obesity, making it relevant for genetics research on these conditions.

Local communities criticized the lack of open discussions and transparency in the agreement with Autogen.

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of guarantees that Tongan people would benefit from the research.

Tongan groups opposed the patenting of DNA samples, viewing it as a violation of their rights and cultural heritage.

The Tonga National Council of Churches opposed the research based on religious beliefs and the sanctity of life.

The controversy highlighted the need for ethical considerations and community engagement in genetic research projects.

The Hippocratic Oath is a set of ethical guidelines for doctors, emphasizing patient well-being and confidentiality. It was written to prevent doctors from harming patients for personal gain. It was written in ancient times but is still relevant today, with adaptations to address modern ethical dilemmas.

While the Hippocratic Oath highlights patient protection, contemporary challenges like physician-assisted suicide, abortion, and pre-implantation diagnosis raise ethical questions. These practices challenge the traditional Hippocratic principle of protecting life at all costs.

The Hippocratic Oath emphasizes the doctor's duty to prioritize the patient's well-being and confidentiality. This oath is a foundation for medical ethics, but it's a framework, not a set of rules.

Some argue that modern medical advancements like prenatal genetic screening and assisted reproduction create ethical dilemmas that the Hippocratic Oath alone cannot address. These practices raise questions about the value of human life and the role of doctors in shaping it.

Ethicists like Angelo Fiori express concerns about the direction of medicine. They believe practices like assisting in death (euthanasia) and prenatal genetic screening contradict the Hippocratic principles of protecting human life. Fiori argues that many doctors contradict the Oath by supporting these practices.

A set of principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of medical professionals in their interactions with patients and colleagues.

The ability to recognize ethical dilemmas in healthcare situations and make informed decisions based on ethical principles.

The professional responsibility to uphold ethical standards and maintain competency in medical practice.

The organization that sets ethical guidelines for doctors in the UK.

The organization that sets ethical guidelines for doctors in the US.

A situation where ethical principles conflict with one another, making it difficult to determine the morally right course of action.

A process that involves identifying ethical problems, analyzing possible solutions, and choosing the best ethical course of action.

The potential consequences of ethical decisions, including harm to patients, colleagues, or institutions.

A moral philosophy that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its consequences. The best action is one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

The principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions about their health care.

A type of consequentialism that promotes actions that lead to the greatest happiness for the largest number of people.

The principle of acting in the best interests of the patient.

A moral philosophy that determines the rightness or wrongness of an action based on whether it follows a set of moral rules or principles, regardless of consequences.

The principle of avoiding harm to the patient.

A moral philosophy that focuses on the character of the person performing an action, rather than the action itself. Virtue ethics emphasizes developing good moral character.

The principle of treating patients fairly and justly.

The four ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice are considered foundational in healthcare ethics.

A rule that applies to all people, regardless of their situation or goals. It is an absolute moral law that should be followed in all cases.

A practical tool used to analyze ethical scenarios by considering the benefits and risks of different actions.

The Four Principles Approach provides a framework for ethical analysis by applying the four principles to specific situations.

In healthcare, situations involving ethical conflict often arise when two or more principles are in conflict.

A practical tool used to analyze ethical scenarios by identifying and applying relevant ethical principles and rules.

A practical tool used for ethical analysis that involves considering the character traits of the individuals involved and how their actions might reflect on their integrity.

Ethical Grid is a tool for applying moral principles to real-life situations. It helps with ethical decision-making by evaluating the potential consequences of actions.