Public health - rethink bioethics. From the principle of autonomy to the principle of responsibility

Abstract

There has been a growing tendency lately among bioethics specialists to use a new paradigm of ethical reflection. So far the dominant bioethical principle has been the principle of autonomy of a patient. In the context of care for public health, the principle of responsibility is gradually becoming more important. Undoubtedly this new reflection enriches the fairly short academic history of bioethical research and adds new value to it. This article shows certain elements of medical ethos and research ethics from a medical perspective, which should be analysed as a part of preventive medicine focused on the principle of responsibility. Without such an approach, it would be extremely difficult to take justified measures in the area of public health.