Principles of Biomedical Ethics (Beauchamp and Childress)

The Principles of Biomedical Ethics by Beauchamp and Childress outline four key moral guidelines for healthcare: Respect for Autonomy (honoring patients' rights to make their own decisions), Beneficence (acting in patients’ best interests), Non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and Justice (ensuring fairness in distributing healthcare resources). These principles help healthcare providers navigate complex ethical decisions, balancing respect for individual choices with the obligation to do good and prevent harm, while also ensuring fair treatment for all patients. They serve as a foundational framework for ethical medical practice.