Which one is not a correct principle of Beauchamp and Childress: Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice, or Respect for persons?

The Four Principles of Beauchamp and Childress: Identifying the Incorrect Option

The incorrect principle in the list is "Respect for persons" (option C), as the four principles of Beauchamp and Childress are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. 1

Understanding the Four Principles Framework

The four bioethical principles described by Beauchamp and Childress are internationally recognized and form the foundation of modern medical ethics. According to the ESPEN guideline, these principles are:

1. Autonomy - Recognizing the right and capacity of a person to make personal choices
2. Beneficence - Acting to maximize possible benefits for patients
3. Non-maleficence - Avoiding harm to patients
4. Justice - Ensuring fair distribution of benefits and burdens

These principles are described as "independent of any specific ethical theory and can be applied universally" and represent "an attempt to put the common morality and medical traditions into a coherent package." 1

Why "Respect for Persons" Is Not One of the Four Principles

While "respect for persons" is an important ethical concept, it is not one of the four principles in Beauchamp and Childress' framework. Instead, respect for persons is:

• A broader ethical goal that encompasses aspects of autonomy 1
• A principle outlined in other ethical frameworks such as the Belmont Report 1
• Often confused with autonomy, but represents a more comprehensive concept 2

The American Thoracic Society/American Geriatrics Society policy statement clarifies this distinction, noting that "the broader ethical goal of manifesting respect for persons should be viewed as central to care processes" while acknowledging that autonomy is one of the four principles of medical ethics. 1

The Relationship Between Autonomy and Respect for Persons

It's important to understand that while autonomy and respect for persons are related concepts, they are not identical:

• Autonomy focuses specifically on decision-making capacity and self-determination
• Respect for persons is broader and includes recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all persons regardless of their decision-making capacity 2

In bioethics literature, there has been a tendency to equate respect for persons with respect for autonomy, but this represents a narrowing of the original concept. As noted in recent research, "In much of bioethics literature, respect for persons is replaced by respect for autonomy." 2

Practical Application in Medical Ethics

When applying these principles in clinical practice:

• The four principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) should be used as a framework for ethical decision-making 1
• These principles are interrelated and must be applied together in medical decision making 1
• In cases of conflict between principles (such as between autonomy and beneficence), a systematic approach to ethical problem-solving is needed 3

Understanding the correct principles is essential for healthcare professionals to properly navigate ethical dilemmas and provide patient-centered care that respects both individual autonomy and professional obligations.