BIOETHICS.pdf

DEFINITION OF TERMS Bioethics in Nursing: Definition: Bioethics in nursing refers to the study of ethical principles and moral dilemmas that arise in healthcare, focusing on nursing practices, patient care, and healthcare decisions. Example/Analogy: Think of bioethics as the compass...

DEFINITION OF TERMS Bioethics in Nursing: Definition: Bioethics in nursing refers to the study of ethical principles and moral dilemmas that arise in healthcare, focusing on nursing practices, patient care, and healthcare decisions. Example/Analogy: Think of bioethics as the compass that guides nurses through challenging situations. Just like a compass helps travellers make the right decisions when they're lost, bioethics helps nurses make ethical choices in healthcare. For instance, when deciding whether to respect a patient's confidentiality or report potential harm, bioethics provides the ethical North Star. Biology: Definition: Biology is the scientific study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions with their environment. Example/Analogy: Imagine biology as a giant puzzle where you examine each piece to understand the bigger picture. Just like you put together a puzzle to see the complete image, biologists study the various components of living things (like cells, genes, and ecosystems) to comprehend how life works. Ethics in Nursing Definition: Ethics in nursing refers to the moral principles and values that guide nurses in their professional conduct and decision-making, ensuring patient well-being and dignity. Example/Analogy: Think of ethics in nursing as the moral compass that directs nurses on the right path, much like how traffic lights and rules guide drivers to ensure safe journeys. Nurses use ethical principles to make decisions that prioritise patients’ best interests, just like drivers follow traffic rules to prioritise safety on the road. Health Ethics: Definition: Health ethics involves the exploration of ethical issues and dilemmas specific to the healthcare field, including topics like patient rights, end-of-life care, and equitable access to healthcare services. Example/Analogy: Health ethics act as the referee in a game, ensuring that all players (healthcare providers, patients, and society) play by the rules and treat each other fairly. Just as a referee ensures fair play in sports, health ethics ensures fairness and ethical behavior in healthcare. Professional ethics Definition: Professional ethics in nursing refers to the set of moral principles and codes of conduct that govern the behavior and responsibilities of nurses in their professional roles. Example/Analogy: Consider professional ethics as the rulebook for nurses, much like athletes follow the rules of their sport. Just as athletes follow specific rules for fair play, nurses adhere  to professional ethics to ensure they provide high-quality care, maintain trust, and uphold the reputation of their profession. PREVALENCE OF BIOETHICAL ISSUES Cloning Definition: Cloning involves creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, which can be natural (e.g., identical twins) or artificial (e.g., using scientific techniques). Prevalence: World: Human cloning is illegal in many countries and highly regulated where permitted for research purposes. Cloning for reproductive purposes remains ethically continuous and subject to debate. Philippines: Human cloning is prohibited in the Philippines, and there are no known cases of successful human cloning. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Definition: IVF is an assisted reproductive technology that involves fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body and implanting the embryo in the uterus. Prevalence: World: Ivf is widely practiced and has helped many couples with fertility issues conceived. Its prevalence is influenced by accessibility, cost, and cultural factors. Philippines: Ivf is legal unavailable in the Philippines, but it is subject to regulations and ethical considerations. Abortion Definition: Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the foetus can survive independently. It involves various methods, and its ethical aspects revolve around questions of when life begins and a woman's right to make decisions about her body. Prevalence: World: Abortion prevalence widely globally due to legal, cultural, and social factors. it ranges from being highly accessible in some countries to being illegal in others. Philippines: Abortion is generally illegal in the Philippines, except to save the lives of the mother despite legal restrictions, clandestine and unsafe abortion occur. Contraception Definition: Contraception refers to methods and devices used to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting fertilisation or implantation. Prevalence: World: Contraception varies widely globally influenced by cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors. Access to and acceptance of contraception can be influenced by government policies.  Philippines: Contraception is widely available and used, but there have been instances of controversy surrounding government policies related to family planning. Determination of Death (Biological and Clinical Death): Definition: Biological death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions, while clinical death is the absence of heartbeat and breathing. Prevalence: World: The criteria for determining that are generally well established and accepted in the medical field. Organ transplantation relies on clear criteria for organ retrieval. Philippines: The determination of death in the Philippines follows international medical standards, and there are no specific controversies associated with it. Stem Cell Technology: Definition: Stem cell technology involves the use of stem cells for various medical purposes, such as tissue regeneration and disease treatment. Prevalence: World:Stem cell research and therapists are ongoing worldwide; the prevalence of their use depends on research advancement and ethical guidelines. Philippines: Stem cell research is conducted, but it is regulated to ensure ethical standards are met. The Human Person The nature of the human person is a complex and multifaceted topic that has been explored by philosophers, psychologists,theologies, and scientists for centuries. Let's examine some key aspects of the nature of the human person. Biological Aspect: Human beings are biological organisms belonging to the species Homo sapiens. They have a physical body composed of cells, organs, and systems, and are subject to biological processes such as growth, reproduction, and ageing. Human genetics play a significant role in determining an individual's physical and, to some extent psychological characteristics.