Running head: BIOLOGY 1

Ethical Reflection

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BIOLOGY 2

Ethical Reflection

HIV/AIDS causes, prevention, and, most importantly, treatment presents several ethical

issues and considerations in different areas, such as the patient's accorded care, privacy,

confidentiality, protection of vulnerable groups, clinical trials, stigma, and discrimination others

(Vasantha, 2005). The spread of HIV/AIDS can be linked to human rights aspects of doing right

or wrong. This paper will explore the ethical aspect of the virus arising of how, as a society, we

can help control the spread of the virus without necessarily discriminating against certain social

groups and undermining other people's freedom in society (Walters, 1998).

Different groups of people and individuals are well aware of the stigmatization and

discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and have come out to condemn such

vices over the years. For instance, organizations such as the Global Fund and Treatment Action

Campaign are at the forefront of encouraging people, especially in the sub-Saharan region, to

take preventive measures and avoid stigma related to the disease. Additionally, since the African

content harbors the most considerable prevalence of the virus, African leaders have emerged to

educate people on HIV/AIDS and its misconceptions to eliminate stigma, which has proven to be

an obstacle to the effective response of the virus in the region.

Controlling the spread of AIDS without portraying discrimination tendencies and stigma

has controversial ideas. This is due to the nature of the transmission of the virus. A good number

of our society associates the contraction of the virus with immoral behaviors of prostitution,

homosexuality, drugs, and so on. For this reason, society tends to be divided on ways to control

and prevent the spread without having to judge PLWHA. I think there is a way to judge between

competing or opposing views. Based on their arguments, one can judge if the views presented

are competing with each other for validation or opposing each other through criticism.
BIOLOGY 3

Fairness and rights are two areas of ethical concern that may be applied in addressing the

issue. For starters, fairness is necessary if we are to control the spread of the virus effectively.

We must give people fair chances to prove themselves instead of dismissing them based on our

coerced views. Being fair willed make us conduct ourselves with just comprehensively (Ethical

Reasoning in Action, 2020). In addition, fairness can be applied in decision-making regarding

providing health care services to PLWHA. Based on these rights, decisions can be made

considering these individuals' fundamental human rights, such as the right to have a quality life

free of discrimination, access to quality healthcare, informed consent, autonomy, etc. (Ethical

Reasoning in Action, 2020).

As members of society, we have a responsibility and right to eliminate stigma and

discrimination to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. We must make the victim feel loved and

accepted in society without making them feel less of themselves or unwanted. Our responsibility

is to care for and love them, allowing them to lead a normal life like any other normal person.

Also, it is our fundamental right to lead a healthy and HIV-free life by taking individual

preventive measures. But while doing so, we must be mindful of others lest they feel

discriminated against.

There is a thin line between right and wrong. What counts to be right or bad depends on

us as a people. If roles were reversed, a particular thing counts to be wrong if one may feel hurt

by it if done to them. For instance, shaming and discriminating against PLWHA is wrong

because if the same is done to another person, it will not sit well with them. Something counts

rights when the roles are reversed; still, the parties involved feel good about it. Thus the best way

for people to behave towards one another is to treat people how they wish to be treated.
BIOLOGY 4

Moreover, the best way to behave towards themselves is through loving, accepting, and

appreciating every inch of themselves and not being too hard on oneself.

Lastly, a life of human flourishing and well-being constitutes many things. The ability

and willingness to live every single moment are critical. When one has the zeal to survive, they

tend to work to better their lives and well-being; hence the ethical issue is essential since stigma

and discrimination may hinder this goal.

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References

Ethical Reasoning in Action. (2020, August 27). JMU's moral reasoning strategy - Eight key

questions. https://youtu.be/e72iASGLVfA

Vasantha, M. (2005). Ethical issues in HIV/AIDS research.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15817966/#:~:text=The%20ethical%20issues%20mainly

%20revolve%20around%20the%20standard,clinical%20trials%20and%20also

%20sociobehavioural%20studies%20on%20HIV%2FAIDS.

Walters, L. (1998, February 5). Ethical issues in the prevention and treatment of HIV ... - science.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.3340846