2008, Number 4
General view of bioethics
Villalba CJ, Torres RM, Arellano MJ, Gómez NMG, Valdez NR
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 8
Page: 296-305
PDF size: 87.30 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Ethics is considered as the science devoted to the study of costumes, that is, the human actions in the context of their beneficence or maleficence.Bioethics is defined as the systematic study of biomedicine problems, with an interdisciplinary and plural character and at the light of moral principles and norms.
The several philosophical currents in bioethics coincide in signaling four basic principles in this issue, which are autonomy, beneficence, no maleficence and justice. These can be found together in most oaths in the professional ambit of medicine, particularly in the Hypocrates Oath, which date back to 26 centuries ago.
UNESCO has become the frame of reference for institutional bioethics. With the appearance of international codes and norms, and due to the continuing technical progress of Medicine, the assisting ethics committees emerge with the purpose to help society, physicians and patients in the solution of conflicts and to safeguard the wellbeing and human rights of individuals.
Likewise, responsibility of public service workers is inherently embedded in the exercise of the government power, that is, the public service worker has the obligation of responding for his or her acts executed outside the legal framework. Administrative liability may derive to other responsibilities with legal effects, such as civil, criminal or even labor liability.
Nevertheless, ethics must not be considered separated from law; it is a linkage that is transformed into social life and that undoubtedly give orientation to the institutional life to those working at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas.
Relationships between health team and users must be based predominantly in respectfulness. Life is the most valuable thing for any human being. Through life we can manifest and develop ourselves, but we can only do it if we are free to be what we are, without criticism, repression or exclusion.
We need to opt for a new unifying, integrative and respectful alternative directed to others, to life and to ourselves. However, there are many users that are unaware of their rights and that are unable to exert them and, above all, to demand them.
The aim of the Ethics Committee is to provide information to the health personnel in order to give a responsible and respectful service.
REFERENCES