Ethical Values and Principles in Bioethics

Issues in Bioethics Essay
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Medical ethics is the most appealing sub-discipline of bioethics I find presented by the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.), considering its direct effects on people's well-being and how the ethical challenges it presents are sophisticated. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.), medical ethics embroils extreme cases of ethical consideration which are fundamental to the well-being of the people and the entire society. In this vein, I find them the most compelling and appealing compared to the other sub-disciplines in the chapter. The sub-discipline encompasses ethical principles from such areas as medicine, relations between physicians and patients, and healthcare service delivery. Also, the sub-discipline offers significant insights into understanding topics such as end-of-life decisions, medical access, and reproduction rights, which essentially influence the well-being of individuals and society.
One of the primary reasons I find medical ethics appealing is its extreme historical lineage. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.), the sub-discipline originates from the Hippocratic Oath, which marked the onset of ethical decision-making and reasoning in Western medicine. This deep history shows the far-reaching roots and basics of medical ethics and their relation to vital ethical considerations while at the same time offering re-evaluation and critical reflection context. Furthermore, medical ethics continue to grapple with the emerging ethical issues from such developments as healthcare systems, medical technology, and research. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.), medical ethics remain an integral part of navigating ethical complexities related to such developments despite society advancing and new opportunities emerging. Ethical concerns like organ transplantation, equitable allocation of medical resources, and genetic engineering should be analyzed thoughtfully to make decisions that foster honest, positive results.
In addition, I find the sub-discipline appealing since it creates broader ethical debates in the medical field and society. The sub-discipline reflects and models societal and cultural values and affects legal and policy frameworks. For instance, the altercations revolving around euthanasia and abortion have extreme effects beyond healthcare practice and influence legislation and norms. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.), medical ethics engage stakeholders like ethicists, medical practitioners, policymakers, and patients. Such diversified engagements are critical in shaping medical practice and fostering the autonomy and well-being of humans.
In the chapter "Introduction to Bioethics and Ethical Decision Making," Rich (n.d.) extensively discusses bioethics as a discipline and the ethical principles that dictate healthcare decisions. At the onset of the chapter, Rich (n.d.) expletively illustrates how bioethics, naturally interdisciplinary, multifaceted, and impeccably encompasses healthcare, theology, law, and philosophy. The author posits that bioethics is interested in balancing healthcare practitioners'...