What ethical principle asserts the patient's right to self-determination and informed consent in medical decision-making?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Autonomy

  1. Step 1: Classical bioethics identifies four core prima facie principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
  2. Step 2: The principle of autonomy upholds the competent patient's fundamental moral and legal right to self-determination, acknowledging their capacity to make informed personal choices, accept or decline medical treatments, and provide voluntary informed consent.
Answer
Autonomy.
Why not the others: Beneficence is the moral obligation to act for the patient's well-being, non-maleficence requires doing no intentional harm, and justice governs fair resource distribution.

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