Basics
Q: What is bioethics?
A: The study of ethical issues relating to biology, medicine and biotechnology.
Q: Which ethical approach focuses on the consequences of an action?
A: Consequences-based ethics.
Q: What concept refers to treating people fairly and equally?
A: Justice.
Q: True or false: An ethical issue always has one objectively correct answer.
False
Q: What is an ethical issue?
A: An issue involving a decision about what is right, wrong, fair or acceptable.
Q: Which ethical approach focuses on following rules, duties or obligations?
A: Duty/rules-based ethics.
Q: What concept refers to acting to benefit others or promote their wellbeing?
A: Beneficence.
Q: Why should multiple stakeholders be considered when evaluating a bioethical issue?
A: Different stakeholders may experience different benefits, risks and consequences.
Q: What is a stakeholder?
A: A person or group that may be affected by or have an interest in an ethical issue.
Q: Which ethical approach focuses on the character and virtues of the person making the decision?
A: Virtues-based ethics.
Q: What concept refers to avoiding or minimising harm?
A: Non-maleficence.
Q: "We should protect the kangaroo population because doing so will benefit the greatest number of animals."
A: Consequences-based + beneficence
Q: Why can scientific evidence alone not determine whether a biotechnology should be used?
A: Scientific evidence can show what may happen, but ethical decisions also involve values, principles and judgments about what should happen.
Q: A scientist supports genetic modification because it will produce the greatest overall benefit for an endangered species. Which ethical approach is being used?
A: Consequences-based ethics.
Q: A researcher decides that an experiment should not proceed because the animals may experience unnecessary suffering. Which ethical concept is most relevant?
A: Non-maleficence.
Q: "The limited conservation funding should be distributed fairly between endangered Australian species rather than being given entirely to the species that receives the most public attention."
A: Justice + consequences-based
Q: Scientists develop a technology that could save an endangered species but may have unknown environmental consequences. Why is this a bioethical issue?
A: It involves balancing potential biological benefits against risks, values and consequences for the species, environment and other stakeholders.
Q: A scientist argues that researchers have a duty not to interfere with the natural genome of a wild species, even if doing so could produce benefits. Which ethical approach is this?
A: Duty/rules-based ethics.
Q: A conservation program distributes limited resources between several endangered species based on their level of need. Which ethical concept is most relevant?
A: Justice.
Q: "We should not cause unnecessary suffering to kangaroos, even if doing so could produce useful scientific information."
A: Duty/rules-based + non-maleficence