Original scientific paper
PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
Tom L. Beauchamp
; Georgetown University, Washington D. C.
Abstract
The question of moral issues in biomedical science is discussed
by the author from the point of establishment of moral
principles as prerequisites of moral action in medical practice.
The author defines biomedical principles as the basic norms in a
system of norms determined for moral contemplation, with the
fundamental task of indicating morally relevant features of specific
circumstances. Therefore, the system of biomedical principles
is not, and cannot be, solely a system of personal beliefs and optional
norms. The distribution of biomedical principles, the nature
of these principles and the need for their specification is the central
topic of this article. The author thus discerns four groups of
blomedlcal principles: 1. consideration for autonomy (the principle
which demands the respect of an independent person's ability to
make decisions), 2. harmlessness (the principle that prevents
harm to be inflicted on others), 3. benefaction (a set of principles
demanding the prevention of harm, enabling well-being and assessing
well-being with regard to prospective danger and cost),
and 4. justice (a set of principles demanding the equal and fair
distribution of well-being, danger and cost).
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
31831
URI
Publication date:
1.5.1996.
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