The four principles of biomedical ethics, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States

 


1. The four principles of biomedical ethics, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States, have often been critiqued for raising the principle of autonomy to the highest place, such that it trumps all other principles or values. Based on your worldview, how do you rank the importance of each of the four principles in order to protect the health and safety of diverse populations?
2. According to the four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) that informs us about the nature of God, where would you find comfort and hope in the midst of sickness and disease?
3. Based on your clinical experiences with those who are dying, how have these experiences shaped your view of death and impacted your ability to demonstrate the qualities of empathy?
4. Because everyone's life is deemed valuable to God, the choice of suicide or euthanasia contradicts this and is therefore considered sin. Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. How does your own definition of spiritual care compare with the Christian definition of spiritual care?
6. In terms of intervention and spiritual care, how do you support a patient facing an ethical dilemma, with consideration for their worldview? If you were that patient, what care would you want provided?
 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

Ranking the Four Principles of Biomedical Ethics

The "Western" ranking often places Autonomy at the top, but to protect diverse populations, a more balanced approach is often necessary. A suggested ranking for public health safety might be:

Non-maleficence: "First, do no harm." In diverse populations, preventing systemic harm or medical neglect must be the baseline.

Justice: Ensuring that resources and care are distributed equitably, regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnicity.

Beneficence: The active duty to act in the patient’s best interest.

Autonomy: While vital, it must be balanced against the welfare of the community (e.g., in cases of highly infectious diseases).