Comparison of the Terms: Law, Ethics, and Bioethics
Law, ethics, and bioethics are connected but distinct; each concept defines societal standards. Law is a system of rules established by a governing body, generally with legal repercussions for noncompliance (Tamparo, 2021). It is a formalized framework for keeping order in society. In contrast, ethics refers to an extensive set of principles and ideals influencing human behavior (Tamparo, 2021).
Ethics is inherently subjective and context-dependent, driven by moral considerations. While ethics often inform legal systems, they extend beyond the boundaries of legality, addressing what is permissible and what is morally right or wrong. Bioethics, in turn, is a subfield of ethics focusing on ethical dilemmas in healthcare (Tamparo, 2021). For instance, bioethics guides medical research involving human subjects, end-of-life care, and other controversial topics.
Is Something Unethical Also Illegal?
As for the relationship between ethics and legality, it is clear that the two notions overlap but do not always entirely correspond. Ethics involves moral ideals that differ between cultures, so something unethical may or may not be criminal (Tamparo, 2021). As a result, an activity may be regarded ethically reprehensible by some but not illegal by others. For example, ending a friendship after a little quarrel may be considered immoral by some, but it is not an unlawful act.
Furthermore, unlawful activities do not have to be intrinsically immoral. Laws can be flawed and do not always correspond to accepted ethical norms (Tamparo, 2021). Historical legislation that formerly authorized racial segregation was legally enforced but is currently seen as reprehensible.
The Importance of Bioethics
Bioethics offers a systematic way to deal with ethical challenges in rapidly evolving domains of healthcare. Thus, the relevance of bioethics in modern society is seen in scientific research. It contributes to the upholding of high moral standards by medical practitioners and researchers in their activities (Horn & Kerasidou, 2020). Patients and participants in research must have faith that their rights are being maintained: as such bioethics contributes to creating public trust. Without a solid ethical foundation, public faith in healthcare institutions may diminish, thereby stifling progress in these sectors.
References
Horn, R., & Kerasidou, A. (2020). Sharing whilst caring: Solidarity and public trust in a data-driven healthcare system. BMC Medical Ethics, 21(1). Web.
Tamparo, C. D. (2021). Medical Law, Ethics, and Bioethics for the health professions (8th ed.). F.A. Davis Company.