Three Principles of Medical Ethics

Autonomy

The patient's right to refuse or accept treatment. This ethical belief has its origins in Greek and Roman culture, and the Latin translation is Voluntas aegroti suprema lex, which literally means that there’s a supreme agreement to voluntarily accept treatment for illness (Medical Ethics). If a physician administers care against the patients will, they can be charged with battery (Patient’s Rights). The punishment for these actions are decided by a jury in a criminal court system and may include prison time or large fines.

Beneficence

Beneficence is the expectation that the physician is expected to act in the best interest of the patients. Many scholars, such as Edmund Pellegrino the 11th president for The Catholic University of America, regard beneficence as the only critical principle in medical ethics (Medical Ethics). This principle highlights the importance that medicine should only be used for healing. When this view is held procedures such as abortion and euthanasia no longer fight into the realm of medicine. If this would be taken seriously it could be a wonderful solution to such problems, however in the politically correct society of America in the twenty-first century, this would be a violation of what is perceived to be the rights of man.

Non-maleficence

Non-maleficence is headed by the phrase “first, do no harm.” This idea revolves around the importance of doing no harm to the patient, even if this means that the patient does not receive treatment whatsoever. When the issue of euthanasia comes up, this principle is often the basis on which physicians determine their stance on the issue. The act of euthanizing a patient is considered by some to do good for the patient, ending their painful experience with disease or cancer; however the opposition says that since the patient dies it does harm to them, therefore violating the principle of non-maleficence. The stance American’s are taking on this issue is quit alarming. When asked if it is okay for a doctor to participate in physician assisted suicide, 58% of Americans said yes; however when virtually the same question was asked but in the form of euthanasia, getting rid of the harsh word suicide, an astonishing 75% of Americans said yes (Moore). These statistics make it evident that the principle of non-maleficence may be good in theory; however the state of the people makes it evident that it has failed.