Ethics is “the discipline of dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and

obligation” (Dictionary.com). Related to this is integrity, which I would define as the ability to

withstand challenges and uphold your personal morals and beliefs despite these struggles. My

ethical code was largely due to the way my parents raised me. I always viewed my parents as

ethical people. They were good role models for me. I wanted to be like them. They did not

curse, drink, smoke, do drugs or gamble. They gave to charity and went to church. They were

genuinely nice to those that they met. They instilled discipline into our daily lives, which

influenced me to do good and avoid the bad simply because it was either right or wrong.

I believe in treating others with respect and admiration for their differences instead of

judgement. It is never right to show privilege or favor to someone undeservedly or to fault for

their inabilities. I support having an open mind about how others live their lives and they

choices they make. I believe it is never bad to apologize and learn a lesson from your mistake. I

support kindness, as it goes all way. A small act can set the stage for someone else to carry it on.

I would like to think that they taught me to do what is “right” in a situation regardless of

if the outcome was something that benefitted me personally. From this sometimes-negative

experience, I learned that it is best to act rightly in the first place, as the consequences will be

less severe in the end. I was my parents’ second child, after my brother. I know from their

admittance, on several occasions, that they taught me differently from my brother. It was a

different time when I was born and as I grew up, circumstances changed. They discussed, or did

not need to, appropriate behaviors in certain social situations dependent upon what was

happening in the world at the time. Religion played a large role as well. I was raised in the

church every Sunday. From the Bible, we can learn a great deal about ethics: what it is, how to
act accordingly, and what happens when you do or do not. Some of the quotes that resonated

with me from church or used by my parents frequently were “do not seek revenge or bear a

grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)

or “do onto others as you would have them do into you” (Luke 6:31). While these may seem as

though they are unattainable for us, all we need to remember as our guiding principle is that

anything we do reflects our creation. With this comes an acknowledgement that we as humans

are sinners. While sin is apparent, it does not have to define us. One of the most important

lessons can be learned after repentance and forgiveness is sought and there comes another time

to act ethically. It is all about what you do in that moment and if you learned from your mistake.

I believe that all people have the right to participate in society, whether it be through

politics, culture or any other aspect. Participation in society is related to, and a requirement of

human dignity. A person should not be excluded or limited from their participation in society of

any reason. I believe in everyone being equal, receiving equal opportunities and judgement that

is fair. I have always been a person interested in helping those around me, especially when these

people have a great need, like illness, hunger or sadness. For these are things that I can help with

and provide an instant change in. This would relate to the option for the poor and vulnerable.

As I prepare to enter the medical field, I am reminded daily of a binding oath that I swore

to myself and my patients. The Hippocratic Oath is one is the oldest binding documents in

history. It dates to the age of Hippocrates and is held in high esteem by all those in the medical

field. For many, the oath is sworn as a ceremony of practice before the medical professional

begins their practice. The oath has been modified over the years to exclude the mention of

swearing to Greek gods and goddess as many people find their religion in other forms. In modern
versions of the oath, abortion and physician assisted suicide is not mentioned. However, the

addition of an emphasis on privacy and respect is added.

More recently, HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has

placed safeguards on medical data and records. This is reflected by the technological

advancements and reliance that has allowed us to access more information in less time. This

measure was instituted, in part, to protect patient’s sensitive and confidential health information.

It should be the patient’s choice on what to disclose about their health and to who. HIPPAA

allows that. Now, patients decide who can access their information. This may be family

members, spouses, other healthcare providers or employers. Because of this, patients control the

amount of information available. This has helped to ease discrimination against a person’s

health. It details how information is to be handled and the consequences for not following this. It

protects people who change or lose their jobs and face change in their healthcare as well. It

supports those with chronic, pre-existing conditions in the insurance process.

Catholic Social Justice Teachings can be applied liberally to the field of medicine. First

and foremost is the dignity of the human person. In which there is a moral obligation to protect

every person as a child of God from conception until natural death. “God created mankind in his

image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

In a time of abortion, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide this is especially important to

remember as we are not ones to decide the life or death of a person. This principle would also

apply to the practices of human experimentation and human embryo research, both prevalent

topics of discussion in the field of medicine. The principle of common good would seek to

create relationships and institutions based upon your responsibility to contribute to your

community. Institutions, or groups of people, should be formed and policies drafted with the
purpose of protecting and advocating for a patient and their family. The commandment to treat

others the way we want to be treated and love your neighbor as yourself is vitally important

again in this case. Solidarity as a principle is to love your neighbor and helps those in need

whether they be sick, hungry or homeless. Christianity is founded upon extending this act to not

only those close to us or those who may believe, but for all of humanity and those that need it

most. A Catholic bishop might say the hallmark of a society is not in how rich people are, but

how the most vulnerable members of society are treated.

Overall, medicine and ethics are closely related. The very treatment of illness to due to

the principles of providing care for someone who needs it, instead of avoiding it. It might be

easy to turn away from those who are condemned by society for their diseases, but this would not

be ethical. As the field of medicine changes, so will the ethics of it all. We, as a society, will

have to determine what we think is ethical versus not in terms of possibly cutting-edge,

revolutionary practices and discoveries.

“Bible Verses About Ethics” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network,

www.biblestudytools.com/topical- verses/bible-verses-about-ethics/.

Condit, Donald P. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of

Medicine, Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5375599/.

“Medical Definition of Hippocratic Oath.” MedicineNet,

www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20909

“What Is HIPAA?” SearchHealthIT, searchhealthit.techtarget.com/definition/HIPAA.