Ethics

Question 1

Morals

Answer 1

Way of distinguishing between good and bad

Relate to society’s or an individual’s personal code of right and wrong

Question 2

Ethics

Answer 2

A way of thinking about how to decide between right and wrong

Branch of philosophy

Question 3

Professional Ethics for UK vets

Answer 3

Code of conduct (against which behaviour of an individual professional is judged) made by RCVS
Legally binding

Question 4

Consequentialism

Answer 4

Consequences justify the means

Includes utilitarianism and egoism

Question 5

Utilitarianism

Answer 5

Greatest good to the greatest number

Every act judged by outcome (‘utility’) rather than having an intrinsic worth

Question 6

Egoism

Answer 6

Happiness of individual is paramount so act resulting in individual benefit will be ‘good’

Good end result can justify short term suffering

Question 7

Problems with consequentialism

Answer 7

• Outcome not always known at the start including long term consequences
• Can’t predict consequences of other peoples actions on our own
• Consequences may be out of our control
• Difficult to be consistent with cost benefit analysis
  Hard to apply population considerations to individual cases

Question 8

Deontological ethics

Answer 8

Ends do not justify means
Acts only right if in accordance with moral rule/principle

Would be immoral to allow the suffering of an anaesthetic free surgery even for long term benefit (NB: suffering is not the issue it is immoral to allow the suffering)

Question 9

Prohibited offences in animal welfare act 2006

Answer 9

1) Knowingly causing ‘unnecessary suffering’ e.g mutilation, docking tails, administration of poisons and animal fighting

2) Welfare offences for failing to provide adequate care for an animal (e.g neglect)
Codes of conduct under the act not legally binding but taken into account in court: defines the legal responsibilities of the owner

Question 10

Mutilation

Answer 10

interference with sensitive tissue or bone structure of an animal

Question 11

Suffering

Answer 11

Physical or mental suffering or related expressions

Question 12

Unethical procedures: run contrary to one or more of the 5 freedoms

Answer 12

• Docking dog tails without due cause
• Cropping dog’s ears
• Canine surgical artificial insemination
• Insertion of prosthetic testicles
• Feline renal transplantation procedures (BUT: reviewed by RCVS in 2016 and now can be conducted at approved centres; changed from previously deontological position on it)
• De-vocalising cats
• De-clawing cats
• Unlawful medical operations on fighting dogs
• Firing horses; not allowed if there is a clear medical reason for treatment (but there isn’t really)

Question 13

Principilism; 4 moral principles

Answer 13

1) Autonomy
2) Beneficence
3) Non-maleficence
4) Justice

Question 14

RCVS principles of practice

Answer 14

• Professional competence
• Honesty and integrity
• Independence and impartiality
• Client confidentiality and trust
• Professional accountability

Question 15

Professional misconduct examples

Answer 15

• Unethical behaviour
• Compromising animal welfare/cruelty
• Dishonesty
• Disregarding client’s instruction without good reason

Question 16

Disciplinary matters for RCVS

Answer 16

• Serious professional misconduct e.g incapacity through drugs/alcohol
• Fraud
• Criminal convictions (even if unrelated; conduct that falls far short of what which is expected in the profession and bring profession into disrepute)

Question 17

5 Freedoms

Answer 17

Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
Freedom from Discomfort
Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
Freedom from Fear and Distress.