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Doctrine of Double Effect by Dr. Salman

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4 views1 page

Doctrine of Double Effect by Dr. Salman

mrcp

Uploaded by

profwaqarhkazmi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Doctrine Of Double Effect

Definition
The Doctrine of Double Effect is an ethical principle.

It allows giving a treatment that has:

- A good (intended) effect


- A harmful (foreseeable but unintended) effect
if certain conditions are met.

The Four Conditions


1. The act itself must be good or morally neutral.
2. The good effect is intended, the bad effect is not.
3. The bad effect must not be the means to achieve the good.
4. The good effect must outweigh the harm (proportionality).

Clinical Examples
- Palliative care: Morphine for pain/dyspnoea (risk: respiratory depression).
- Chemotherapy: Shrinks tumor (benefit), but causes side effects.
- Surgery in pregnancy: Save mother, unintended harm to fetus.

PACES Relevance
- Common in Ethics/Communication Stations.
- Example Q: 'Would you give morphine if it could hasten death?'
- Answer: 'Yes, if required for symptom relief. Intention is relief, not death. This is the
doctrine of double effect.'

Take-Home Message
Key phrase:

'The intention is to achieve the good effect; the bad effect is foreseen but not intended.'

PACES MADE EASY by Dr. Salman Ahsam

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