BIOETHICS

(REV. FR. DANILO C. TIONG, S.Th.L.)

Introduction
Definition:

Bioethics is the systemic study of human

conduct in the areas of life sciences and of
health care, insofar as that conduct is examined
from the viewpoint of moral values and
principles. (Intengan, p.1)
Terms of the definition

“life sciences and health care”

 Bioethics goes beyond ethical issues in medicine (SEACB)
 It includes ethical issues in:
a. public health
b. population concerns
c. genetics
d. environmental health
e. reproductive practice and technology
f. animal health and welfare
g. and the like
Issue areas in Bioethics:

a. The rights and duties of patients and health professionals

b. The rights and duties of research subjects and
researchers
c. The formulation of public policy, guidelines for clinical
care and biomedical research
“Moral values and principles” (marks of):
 They imply responsibility

Responsibility presupposes freedom, freedom to choose to be

good.
 The awareness of a moral failure affects the conscience.
 Moral values have the character of indispensability.

There is the element of “ought”

All moral values are demanded of everyone insofar as
he/she is a human person.

 Moralvalues have a relation to punishment and

reward.

 Moral values have a primary among all other

personal values

 Moral values have a character of transcendence.

Bioethics differentiated from Medical Ethics

 Medical Ethics is primarily geared to the morally

legitimate practice of the medical profession.
(Timbreza, p.9)

 Bioethics is broader in its scope and areas of issues.

Place of Bioethics in Moral Theology
1. Traditional:
 General Moral Theology
 Special Moral Theology
2. Another division:
 Fundamental Moral Theology
 Concrete or Sectoral Moral Theology
3. For our own:
 Fundamental Moral Theology
 Concrete or Sectoral Moral Theology
a. Christian Ethics of the Person = the human person
b. Christian Social Ethics = society but:
(1) they are not independent from each other because,
(2) the various ethical problems related to the person have a
social dimension in understanding and solving them