BIOETHICAL PRINCIPLES

A.

PRINCIPLE OF AUTONOMY Personal liberty of action in which the individual determines his/her own course of action in accordance with a plan chosen by him/herself; self determination. Implies independence and self-reliance, freedom of choice, and ability to make decisions. Cannot exist in a vacuum but must be acknowledged and respected by others.

B.

PRINCIPLE OF NON-MALEFICENCE Do no harm. Includes: * Deliberate harm - - always impermissible * Risk of harm - - what degree of risk is permissible? * Harm that occurs during performance of beneficial acts.

C.

PRINCIPLE OF BENEFICENCE The duty to help others further their important and legitimate interests when we can do so with minimal risk to ourselves. Includes: * The duty to confer benefits and actively to prevent and remove harm. * The duty to balance the good it is possible to produce against the harm that might result from doing or not doing the good. PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE The duty to give to the other what that person is due or owed, what he/she deserves or can legitimately claim. Involves rights or claims that must be balanced against each other.

D.