REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Commission on Higher Education

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

FA2: Other
Relevant Ethical
Principles
NUR1209 – Health Care Ethics (Bioethics)

PRESENTED BY SECTION 312 – GROUP 2:

CARPIO, Nadine Forsha O. (CL)
CARTON, Danica Redz J.
CASTILLO, Chrystal Kyla R.
CATALUÑA, Deborah Jei D.
CHAVEZ, Samuel Angelo R.
CHEN, Ing-Tsyr A. (L)
CINCO, Bryan Furry L.
CO, Nicole Marithé U.
CORONEL, Jocel S.
CORONEL, Lana Denise G.

PRESENTED TO
Mx. Maria Cecilia Gimao
Bioethics Lecturer

SUBMITTED ON:
September 19, 2024 (Thursday) – Academic Year 2024 to 2025
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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

A. PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT

Concept/s:
The principle, or doctrine, of double effect refers to the act of doing something
morally good but has a morally bad side-effect, but being considered to be ethically OK to
do provided that the bad side-effect wasn't intended, which is true and applicable even if
one foresaw that the bad effect would probably occur (BBC, 2014).
This is a concept of St. Thomas Aquinas which he used to justify the permissibility
of self-defense in his book, Summa Theologica (Kockler, 2007; McIntyre, 2023), which
states that: “Killing one’s assailant is justified,” he argues, “provided one does not intend
to kill him.” He recognizes that this action has TWO outcomes or effects, which is the bad
outcome, or the untimely death of the attacker, and the good outcome, where the victim
remains alive.
With that in mind, St. Aquinas’ stance is AFFIRMATIVE regarding whether you
could justifiably kill your attacker if it meant saving your life. This good effect could
outweigh the bad effect, but of course, this is NOT unconditional. If you did something, it
won’t matter if you do it with good intentions if it becomes out of proportion.
The distinction between human acts and acts of man could be applied. The former
are actions performed willingly with knowledge and consent, while the latter occurs when
there is a lack of knowledge or consent. This helps in the assessment of the action for if the
action is of a human act, the principle applies. If it is an act of man, further moral assessment
would be done. In the context of self-defense, if you use more than necessary violence, it
will be UNLAWFUL; defense in moderation would deem the defense LAWFUL.
Furthermore, while this principle aligns with Deontological ethics in that it allows
us to assess actions as to what we should do in certain situations rather than what we should
be, it does not fall under it (Alexander et al., 2020).
To determine whether our actions are morally justifiable, there are FOUR
conditions of the principle that must be met:
1. The act itself cannot be morally wrong or intrinsically evil: The act must be morally
good, or at the very least, morally neutral for it to be permissible for this principle
so as to ensure that this will not be used to justify actions that are inherently bad or
evil.
2. The bad effect cannot cause the good effect: The good outcome must be caused by
the action and not the unintended harm - If so, this uses a morally wrong act to
create a moral good which is NOT permissible as per the doctrine allowing said
moral bad to happen only as a side effect for doing a moral good.
3. The agent cannot intend the bad effect: The person must not intend the morally
wrong action to happen. If the intended outcome could happen without the moral
bad, the person must avoid said moral bad.

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

4. The bad effect cannot outweigh the good effect: The good effect must be justified
in proportion to the harm - The good must be desired.
Example/s:
The ever-so-famous Trolley Problem, as proposed by Philippa Foot in 1967, could
be an example or a situation wherein this principle could be applied, and although not
directly, it could serve as a framework to evaluate the action of which has a good and a bad
outcome (McIntyre, 2023; Andrade, 2019). A civilian bystander is next to a lever that could
divert the path of an incoming trolley on a track wherein five individuals are tied on the
tracks to another track where only one person is tied. The dilemma is either to perform the
action of pulling the lever, actively causing the death of one to save many, or allow the
trolley to move forward and cause the death of five.
To consider the conditions of the principle, the act itself – pulling the lever – is not
inherently evil, rather it does lead to the good and bad outcome, meeting the first condition.
The unfortunate death of one individual is seen as an unfortunate consequence to save the
others rather than as a means to do so, meeting the second condition. When the lever is
pulled by the bystander, the intention was to save the five people, the unfortunate death of
one, as mentioned, is an unintended harm or side effect of the action, thus meeting the third
condition. Lastly, proportionality is to be considered and saving the lives of five individuals
outweighs the side effect of losing one, which meets the fourth condition.
To mention once more, this is not a direct application of the principle; rather the
framework could be used to analyze the situation, seeing as the main concern is the ability
to evaluate the action and the good and bad effects that come with it.

B. PRINCIPLE OF LEGITIMATE COOPERATION

Concept/s:
According to the University of Alberta (n.d.), the Principle of Legitimate
Cooperation refers to a concept in ethics that governs the extent to which one may be
involved in the wrongdoing of others without becoming morally culpable. This ethical
principle distinguishes between different types of cooperation and considers factors like
intent, proximity to the act, and the gravity of the wrongdoing. Furthermore, it is associated
with Catholic moral theology and has been considered related to biblical teachings. For
example, as stated in Acts Chapter 5: Verse 29, obedience to God must take precedence
over obedience to human beings. Thus, participating in the wrongful actions of others is
regarded not only as a sin but also as a crime. In this principle, there are two types of
cooperation, Formal and Material Cooperation. Formal Cooperation refers to a person’s
direct intention and admission to the immoral action of another, which is always considered
morally wrong.

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

On the other hand, Material Cooperation involves providing some form of support
to an immoral act without sharing the intent of the wrongdoer, which can be further divided
into Immediate Material Cooperation and Mediate Material Cooperation. The former
directly contributes to the immoral act, and the latter refers to the indirect involvement,
where the action itself is not intrinsically evil but aids the wrongdoing. Actions under the
Material Cooperation may be justified depending on factors such as the necessity, intention,
and remoteness of the act.
Moreover, the Principle of Legitimate Cooperation is an application of another
principle, the Principle of Double Effect, to situations that involve the cooperation of an
individual in another individual’s immoral actions (Kissell, 2020).
Example/s:
1. Formal Cooperation
a. A medical professional helping in falsifying medical records: If a doctor or
nurse intentionally assists in altering or falsifying a patient's medical records
to cover up malpractice or fraud, they are directly participating in the
immoral act.
2. Material Cooperation
a. A nurse assisting in a medical procedure that results in an abortion, but they
do not agree with or support the abortion itself: The nurse's act is considered
material cooperation because they are indirectly involved in the action but
do not share the wrongful intention. Depending on the proximity of their
involvement, immediate or mediate, the moral culpability may vary. If the
cooperating nurse's role is solely handing tools to the doctor, it might be
considered immediate material cooperation. However, scheduling
appointments for a clinic that performs abortions could mediate material
cooperation.

C. PRINCIPLE OF COMMON GOOD AND SUBSIDIARITY

Concept/s:
The principles of “The Common Good” and “Subsidiarity” are two different
concepts that are interrelated, focusing entirely on the ability of a human being to have the
dignity and sanctity to relate themselves with other people, forming an interdependent
human community. When excluded from participating in these principles, social issues
arise and create havoc in the supposed peace and interdependency that human beings have
established (Diocese of Leeds, n.d.).
1. The Common Good: This principle is characterized by the intention of human beings at
any and all levels of society to remain at service for the good of all people and of the
whole person. This entails that humans must be interested in situations that benefit the

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

good of all, especially for those who have no voice and no power. The common good
of society is not an end in itself, but only part of a bigger picture, the ultimate end of
which is God. This is only a mere materialistic socio-economic ideal that would count
for little without any transcendental goal (Catholic Parliamentary Office, n.d.).
2. Subsidiarity: This principle is characterized by the idea that whatever an individual,
lower or smaller group can achieve within his/her or its capacity must not be taken
away and transferred to the custody and performance of a higher or bigger group. Only
if the smaller group is unable to resolve the problem itself should a group at a higher
level assume responsibility. This highlights the idea that being able to help oneself is
an important component of the dignity of the human person, wherein being able to solve
solvable issues within their jurisdiction could contribute to building autonomy among
constituents (Wright, 2017).
Example/s:
1. The Common Good
a. A surgeon doing a surgery pro-bono: When we prioritize providing needed
care to those in need based on emergence and gravity of situation instead of
providing care only when paid sufficiently, we advocate for the common
good and contribute to the peace within the human community. When
doctors choose to help their patients pro bono, they work in service of what
is beneficial for all regardless of what it entails for them, which in this case
is the financial compensation to the work they do. They aid in allowing the
access of healthcare to be based on need and not ability to pay or merit.
2. Subsidiarity
a. A surgeon allows their patient to decide on the course of action regarding
their care instead of imposing what they deem to be right given the situation:
When a surgeon does this, he/she allows the patients the right to make
necessary decisions regarding their health and does not impose on what is
considered right, giving autonomy to the patient who is inferior in medical
knowledge as compared to the surgeon. If and only when the patient is
unable to decipher what is right to do shall a surgeon step in and intervene,
especially when illness or disability is beyond their capability to control or
assume responsibility for.

D. PRINCIPLES OF BIOETHICS
I. PRINCIPLE OF STEWARDSHIP AND ROLE OF NURSES AS STEWARDS
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2024), stewardship pertains to
“conducting, supervising, or managing of something, especially the careful and
responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.”

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

In essence, stewardship is the way we utilize, protect, and manage specific

values or capabilities (Dalcher, 2019). As nurses, our role as stewards is to uphold our
responsibility and values to preserve what is intrinsically good and valuable in our
profession. It is the advocation of both preservation and change supporting and
upholding the nursing profession (Riley et al., 2021).
“Being a steward of the profession stems from a nurse's passion and a sense of
responsibility to advance the profession's work” (Riley et al., 2021).
1. Personal Stewardship
a. Definition: A type of stewardship referring to nurturing one’s well-
being. It involves being responsible in for-managing one’s own skills,
knowledge, and well-being to provide better patient care.
b. Example Role of Nurses:
i. Engaging in Self-Improvement: Self care, continuous learning,
adhering to nursing ethical standards and values.
ii. By having the ability to manage stress, maintain a work-life
balance, and seek new learning from others, the nurse
exemplifies personal stewardship.
2. Social
a. Definition: It is the ethical responsibility of the nurse to contribute to the
community's health and well-being. It involves applying nursing skills
and knowledge to improve the health of the community by promoting
wellness and addressing societal health issues.
b. Example Role of Nurses:
i. Participating in Community Health Programs: Advocating for
patient rights, promoting equitable healthcare access for all, and
contributing to health policy development are a few of the
examples of engagements in social stewardship.
3. Ecological
a. Definition: Ecological stewardship in nursing is the proactive
management and protection of the environment to foster public health.
It recognizes that environmental health is directly connected to human
health outcomes. This type of stewardship requires nurses to integrate
environmental considerations into their practice by minimizing waste,
conserving resources, and promoting sustainable practices. Nurses must
understand the impact of environmental factors—such as air quality,
water safety, and waste management—on patient and community health,
advocating for policies and practices that mitigate environmental
damage and promote sustainable healthcare.

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

b. Example:
i. Promoting Green Practices: Nurses implement waste reduction
initiatives, like recycling programs, and encourage the use of
sustainable products, such as biodegradable medical supplies, to
minimize environmental harm.
ii. Advocating for Clean Environments: Nurses participate in
campaigns and policies promoting clean air and water,
understanding how these directly affect patient health outcomes.
For example, they may advocate against industrial pollution that
leads to increased respiratory illnesses in local communities.
4. Biomedical
a. Definition: Biomedical stewardship involves the ethical and prudent use
of medical resources, such as medications, diagnostics, and
technological tools, to ensure patient safety and optimize health
outcomes. This form of stewardship emphasizes avoiding unnecessary
procedures, reducing waste, and making cost-effective decisions that
align with evidence-based practice. It also includes ensuring equitable
access to medical care and resources, thereby supporting the integrity of
the healthcare system
b. Example:
i. Rational Use of Antibiotics: Nurses are integral to antibiotic
stewardship by educating patients on proper antibiotic use,
monitoring for misuse, and preventing the spread of resistant
infections.
ii. Efficient Use of Medical Technologies: Nurses advocate for
using diagnostic tests and medical procedures only when they
are necessary and supported by evidence. For example, they may
discourage the overuse of imaging tests like MRIs, which can
expose patients to unnecessary risks and contribute to healthcare
costs without added benefit.

II. PRINCIPLE OF TOTALITY AND ITS INTEGRITY

Concept/s:
The principle of totality is based on the idea that each part of a physical entity,
like the human body, exists and functions to maintain the well-being of the whole. In
medical terms, this means that all body parts are designed to work together to support
the overall health and functioning of the entire organism. The whole body is greater

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

than the sum of its parts, and each part is meant to serve the greater good of the body
as a whole.
Example/s:
An example of the principle of totality in medicine is the decision to amputate
a limb to save a patient's life. If a person has a severe infection in one leg, removing the
leg may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the body. In
this case, the amputation of the leg (a part) is done for the overall good of the body (the
whole).
1. Ethico-Moral Responsibility of Nurses in Surgery
a. Concept/s: Surgery, by definition, involves the use of operative
techniques and instruments to treat or manage diseases and injuries.
These procedures aim to improve bodily function and repair damaged
areas. Whether a surgery is minor or major, nurses play a crucial role in
assisting throughout the procedure. As Registered Nurses (RNs), there
is an ethical and moral responsibility to act as advocates for the patient.
This involves upholding the principle of totality, which means
prioritizing the patient's overall well-being. Nurses must ensure that
every action taken during surgery serves the greater good of the patient’s
health. This responsibility also extends to demonstrating humility,
respecting and protecting patient autonomy, and preserving the dignity
of the patient at all times.
b. Example/s: A Jehovah’s Witness patient needs surgery but refuses
blood transfusions due to religious beliefs. The RN advocates for the
patient by ensuring the surgical team respects this refusal and explores
alternatives, such as artificial blood products or fluids that help maintain
blood volume. The RN communicates openly with the patient to address
their concerns and explains how the surgery will proceed in a way that
aligns with their beliefs. By focusing on the principle of totality, the RN
ensures that the surgery aims to improve the patient’s overall health
while honoring their religious beliefs.
2. Mutilation / Sterilization
a. Concept/s:
i. Functional Integrity is the essential completeness needed for
proper body function.
ii. Mutilation refers to procedures that diminish or destroy the
body's functional integrity. This includes major mutilations,
which severely impair the body's natural functions, and minor

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

mutilations, which reduce but do not completely destroy

functional integrity.
iii. Conditions for morally acceptable surgical removal of a healthy
organ:
 The organ’s preservation poses a serious threat to overall
health.
 The damage can only be avoided or minimized through
the procedure, with expected positive outcomes
outweighing the negative effects.
iv. Sterilization involves procedures to prevent reproduction and
can be classified into:
 Voluntary Sterilization: Requested by the individual.
 Involuntary Sterilization: Ordered by authorities.
 Therapeutic Sterilization: Performed to save life or
preserve bodily integrity.
 Contraceptive Sterilization: Prevents conception
intentionally.
 Eugenic and Social Sterilization: Among individuals
with certain conditions or characteristics considered to be
undesirable or at higher risk of passing on specific traits.
 Punitive Sterilization: Used as a punishment for sex-
related crimes.
b. Example/s:
i. Major Mutilation: Hysterectomy for preventing procreation
ii. Minor Mutilation: Tonsillectomy
3. Preservation of Bodily Functional Integrity
a. Concept/s:
i. The principle of Preservation of Bodily Functional Integrity has
always been invoked in both the law and moral concepts
(Cambridge University Press, 2020). It refers to the ethical
principle that emphasizes maintaining the natural functions and
integrity of the human body, which also suggests that medical
interventions should aim to preserve or restore the body’s normal
functioning without unnecessarily harming or altering its
essential structures and capabilities. According to Child Rights
International Network (n.d.), it is considered a foundational
concept in medical ethics as it encompasses the right of every
individual, including vulnerable individuals, to have autonomy
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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

and control over their own body and to make decisions regarding
its care and use.
ii. When faced with medical decisions, healthcare providers are
guided by this principle to opt for treatments that align with the
preservation of the body's normal function. In cases where
bodily harm is inevitable, such as in surgery, the harm should be
proportionate to the benefit, such as saving a life or significantly
improving the patient's quality of life. Furthermore, it also
advocates for patients as the treatments or interventions provided
must respect the body's natural processes and avoid procedures
that cause undue harm, mutilation, or unnecessary loss of bodily
function unless required to save life or significantly improve
quality of life (Wimberly & Sadler, 2021). For example,
removing a healthy organ without a medical reason would
violate this principle, while a life-saving surgery that alters the
body may be justified.
b. Example/s:
i. The decision to perform appendectomy:
 Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix.
It is only conducted when the appendix is inflamed or
infected (appendicitis). In this case, the procedure is
necessary to prevent further harm or death due to
infection. Despite the decision to remove an organ from
a patient’s body, it still respects the body’s functional
integrity because the appendix, while part of the body,
does not perform an essential function, and its removal
helps preserve overall health and bodily function.
 On the other hand, removing the appendix preemptively
without any medical need would violate this principle, as
it unnecessarily alters the body without immediate
benefit.
4. Issues on Organ Donation
a. Concept/s:
i. Organ donation is characterized by a person’s free will to dispose
of his/her body and to redirect it to ends that are useful, morally
irreproachable, and noble, aiding the sick and suffering.
However, due to the complexities surrounding this act, a certain

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

criteria must be met in order for an approval to be given, it is as

follows:
 The functional integrity of a donor with a human person
must not be impaired even though anatomical integrity
may suffer;
 The risk taken by the donor is an act of charity
proportional to the good resulting to the recipient;
 The donor's consent is free and informed; and
 The recipients of the scarce organs are selected properly,
directed to those who have better chances of taking great
care of themselves (Saint Joseph’s University, n.d.).
ii. This selfless act, however, does not necessarily have to come
from a live human being. Cadaver donations, also called non-
living or deceased donors, are those who donate their organs or
tissue after they have been confirmed and declared dead. Similar
to that of live donors, a criteria must be followed, including:
 It must not cause the death of the donor of the organ
transplant;
 The donor must be verbally and legitimately dead;
 An informed consent was signed and legitimized; and
 All remains must be treated with utmost respect (Smith,
1995).
b. Example/s:
i. Live organ donation: When a father decides to donate his liver
to his daughter with Cirrhosis.
ii. Cadaver organ donation: When a newly licensed driver
indicates in his driver’s license the willingness to donate his
organs if anything unexpected is to happen to him.

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY MEANS

Concept/s:
The principle of ordinary and extraordinary means discusses, in essence, that
the good of saving a life is morally obligatory only if its pursuit is not excessively
burdensome or disproportionate in relation to the expected benefits (Gillon, 1986). This
is an aspect of medical ethics that is mostly used in complex medical decision making
that involves weighing which interventions would be more obligatory versus which is
optional (Caring for the Whole Person, n.d.). It aids and guides healthcare providers in

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

deciding if proposed interventions are ethical, especially if they are life altering (Vacca,
2021).
Ordinary measures include treatments and interventions that are low risk and
are usually initially applied as they do not involve excessive pain or suffering
(Donovan, n.d.). It is a general moral obligation to follow medical ethics for standard
procedures in ordinary measures. Extraordinary measures, on the other hand, are
burdensome, unorthodox, and disproportionate to good types of interventions that
involve excessive pain and suffering (Donovan, n.d.). This, however, has no moral
obligation to follow and is limitedly used in hopeless situations.
Considerations for both means vary as they are not rigidly ethical and could be
disproportionate in certain scenarios. In some situations, one that is extraordinary could
be ordinary in one scenario and vice versa (McTavish, 2016). Regardless, this follows
a rule that these means must only be utilized for the benefit of those concerned and aid
in prevailing against burden (Kearns & Godjin, 2018).
Example/s:
 The use of ventilator: On day one of a sickness, a family could have funds to
pay for a ventilator, deeming it “ordinary”; but on day 10 their funds may be
exhausted and thus the same treatment can become extraordinary (McTavish,
2016).

IV. PRINCIPLE OF PERSONALIZED SEXUALITY

Concept/s:
Sex is a social necessity for the procreation of children, which guarantees the
expansion of the human community and guarantees its future beyond the death of
individual members (Cherry, 2020).
1. Human Sexuality: Sexuality may be experienced and expressed in a variety of
ways, including thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors,
practices, roles, and relationships. This refers to people's sexual interest in and
attraction to others, as well as their capacity to have erotic experiences and
responses. An individual’s sexual orientation is their emotional and sexual
attraction to particular sexes or genders, which often shapes their sexuality
(Kamel & Hajjar, 2004).
2. Moral Evaluation: Christian ethics has centered its consideration of human
sexuality in committed monogamous lifelong heterosexual Christian marriage.
Marriage is seen biblically and theologically, to signify Christ's union with the
Church, and is considered to be a formal union and a social and legal contract
between two individuals (Sullivan & Pecorino, 2002), which possesses three
fundamentals – the husband, the wife, and the marriage license.

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

3. Issues on Sexuality outside Marriage: Tackled in a study by Piderit (2011) are

three activities that could possibly lead to issues outside marriage, including the
following:
a. Premarital sex: This is a sexual activity that is practiced by people
before getting married, considered to be a moral issue and a sin that is
taboo in many cultures, including the Philippines (Reiss, 2001);
b. Extra marital sex: This is a sexual activity that only occurs when a
married person engages in sexual activity with someone other than their
spouse (Reiss, 2001); and
c. Adultery and concubinage: These are both deemed “crimes against
chastity” that can be penalized using the Revised Penal Code of the
Philippines, treated as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, which can
only be committed by a wife and her paramour (Legal Information
Institute, n.d.).
4. Contraception leads to moral behavior
a. Personhood begins at fertilization when genes from two parent cells
combine to create a unique genome (Gilbert, Tyler, & Zackin, 2005),
however, in most cases nowadays, contraception is used to avoid this
incidence. Common methods for contraception include contraceptive
pills, implants, intrauterine devices, injectables, condoms, withdrawal,
vaginal ring, sterilization, and fertility awareness-based methods (World
Health Organization, 2023), but despite the pros attached to the
utilization of contraception, moral issue is concerned with the rightness
or wrongness of the use of various methods by which contraception
prevents the conjugal union of the sperm and egg, ultimately preventing
the birth of a fetus.
5. Contraception leads to immoral behavior
a. On the other hand, if personhood begins with God's thought of a person,
using contraception therefore would seem to go against God's will
(Gerber 2013). Adding to the fact that contraception makes it easier for
people to have sex outside of marriage given that it protects instead of
prevents these instances, leading to widespread sexual immorality,
stating that: “Contraception allows people to have sex purely for
enjoyment,” indicating the lack of respect for the sanctity of marriage
which was promised in the presence of God and the Church.
Example/s:
1. Taking a contraceptive and engaging daily in pre-marital sex.

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Commission on Higher Education
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Manila, Philippines
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING
Department of Nursing

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Andrade, G. (2019, March 17). Medical ethics and the trolley problem. Journal of medical
ethics and history of medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6642460/
BBC. (n.d.). Doctrine of double effect.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/doubleeffect.shtml
Cambridge University Press. (2020, February 4). The right to bodily integrity.
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