ETHICAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ethical mean? 

• ETHICAL (adjective)
  The adjective ETHICAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics

2. conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior

3. adhering to ethical and moral principles

  Familiarity information: ETHICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ETHICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

ethical theories

Pertainym:

ethics (the philosophical study of moral values and rules)

Derivation:

ethics (the philosophical study of moral values and rules)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior

Context example:

Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants

Also:

right (in conformance with justice or law or morality)

Antonym:

unethical (not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior)

Derivation:

ethics (motivation based on ideas of right and wrong)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adhering to ethical and moral principles

Synonyms:

ethical; honorable; honourable

Context example:

followed the only honorable course of action

Similar:

right (in conformance with justice or law or morality)

Derivation:

ethics (motivation based on ideas of right and wrong)

 Context examples 

When you talk with your doctor, is it ethical for her to withhold information from you or your family?

(Medical Ethics, NIH)

An indication that a subject was euthanized due to ethical reasons, such as being near death.

(Moribund Sacrifice, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

A critical part of its mission continues to be the study of the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genome research.

(National Human Genome Research Institute, NCI Thesaurus)

This committee performs critical oversight functions for research conducted on human study subjects that are scientific, ethical, and regulatory.Institutional Review Board (IRB), ethics committee, research ethics board, etc.

(Oversight Committee, NCI Thesaurus)

Also, OPRR is responsible for providing guidance on ethical issues in biomedical and behavioral research.

(Office for Protection from Research Risks, NCI Thesaurus)

They check to see that the trial is well designed, legal, ethical, does not involve unneeded risks, and includes a safety plan for patients.

(Institutional Review Board, NCI Dictionary)

The investigator verifies that he or she has the experience and background needed to conduct the trial and that it will be done in a way that is ethical and scientifically sound.

(Form FDA 1572, NCI Dictionary)

An ethical will is not a legal document.

(Ethical will, NCI Dictionary)

Reflects education and training, professional qualifications and competence, and ethical conduct consistent with standards established by the College.

(Fellow of American College of Physicians, NCI Thesaurus)

It will integrate discoveries into medical applications and address psychosocial, ethical, legal and other implications related to inherited genetic susceptibility.

(Cancer Genetics Network, NCI Thesaurus)