Bioethics

Bunquin, Alyssa B. Oct. 14, 2021

BSN2-A

1. How does critical thinking relate to ethical practice?

Answer: before answering the relationship of critical thinking to ethical practice, let me first define what
critical thinking means. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skilfully
conceptualizing, applying, analysing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or
generated by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and
action (https://www.criticalthinking.org). In short, critical thinking is a deep analyzation of a situation
that is in need of moral consideration. Upon its relationship to ethical practice, critical thinking is being
used as a process to determine if something is right or wrong. We tend to develop an evaluation in our
minds by which leads us to see its ethical standards. Critical thinking makes us decide more effectively
basing on truths and facts instead of pure hypothesis and with that, you’ll be able to decide what is right
and wrong.

Example: Time management;

Deciding how you use your time is an example of critical thinking and can also be an ethical issue. As for
experience, this past few days I tend to lack in time management. I did not notice that I’ve been focusing
more on the studying unrelated subjects rather than the subjects I have now and with that upon using
critical thinking, I’ve come up to work on schedule wherein weekdays are for studying and weekends are
for my personal hobbies, exploring out new things upon reading and feeding my curiosity.

RESEARCH NOTE: TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY

1. What were the main social issues with ethical implications involved in this study?
The said study did not provide treatment for the said participants even after an effective/efficient
treatment has become available. The 399 African American men was said to be only observed and
rather than treated.

2. Which bioethical principles were violated by the Tuskegee study? Explain.

This study violated the principle of autonomy, beneficence, nonmalificence as well as the respect
for persons. It is said that autonomy is the right of a rational person to express personal decisions.
The participants were not informed upon the treatment with this situation so they were not able to
make their decisions. Principle of beneficence is to do good and principle of nonmalificence is to do
no harm whereas the researches obviously violated as well in this study for they really did no good
and they harm the participants upon not treating them efficiently. Respect for persons for the
researchers has the obligations to tell the participants what they are into, they should know what
they will be facing at first and how they should be treated.
3. How do various ethical approaches relate to Tuskegee study?
Racism, Paternalism as well as justice is evident in this study. There was no consent at all and the
participants were not informed with the dangers as well. Racism is present where only African
American men was involved in this study even they are not the only one infected with the disease.

4. Which procedures are in place today to prevent this type of unethical research?
Here are 5 recommendations from APA’s Science Doctorate to help researchers steer clear of
ethical quantities:
1. Discuss intellectual property frankly.
2. Be conscious of multiple roles.
3. Follow informed consent roles.
4. Respect confidentiality and privacy.
5. Tap into ethics resources.