The four principles of biomedical ethics, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States, have often been critiqued for raising the principle of autonomy to the highest place, such that it trumps all other principles or values. Based on your worldview, how do you rank the importance of each of the four principles in order to protect the health and safety of diverse populations?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to the “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 3.1

Solution

When one considers the four principles of biomedical ethics – autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice – in the context of safeguarding the health and safety of various groups, the order of significance may differ depending on the individual’s worldview (Childress, 2020). When viewed from the perspective of a population that places a high value on individual liberty, it may be considered essential for the purpose of respecting the various cultural, religious, and personal beliefs that individuals within that population have. In the context of this discussion, autonomy ensures that decisions on healthcare are in accordance with the values and interests of each individual, so recognizing and appreciating the diversity that exists within the population population (Childress, 2020).

In spite of this, it is of the utmost importance to acknowledge that a well-rounded strategy is required in order to offer full protection for the health and safety of a wide range of communities (Cook, 2020). When it comes to safeguarding the health and happiness of individuals and societies, beneficence and non-maleficence are two of the most important factors. The principle of beneficence places an emphasis on the provision of good care and the promotion of positive outcomes, whereas the principle of non-maleficence places an emphasis on the need to “do no harm.” The administration of justice is also of utmost importance since it necessitates the fair and equitable allocation of healthcare resources and services, the meeting of the specific requirements of various populations, and the reduction of negative health disparities (Cook, 2020). For efficient decision-making in healthcare that protects the health and safety of a wide range of populations without unreasonably giving priority to any one principle over the others, it is essential to have a balanced perspective that integrates these values in a harmonic manner (Cook, 2020).

References

Childress, J. F. (2020). Public bioethics: principles and problems. Oxford University Press, USA.

Cook, J. T. (2020). Introduction to Biomedical Ethics. Bioethical Controversies in Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35660-6_1

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