According to the Doctrine of Double Effect, the good effect must:

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Prepare for the HOSA Medical Law and Ethics Assessment Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam today!

The Doctrine of Double Effect is a principle in moral theology and ethics that provides guidance for actions that may have two effects: one desired and good, the other unintended and potentially harmful. According to this doctrine, for an action with both a good and a bad effect to be morally acceptable, the good effect must be of sufficient importance to outweigh the negative effect. This is why the choice indicating that the good effect must proportionally outweigh the bad effect is considered correct.

In practical terms, this means that when evaluating a situation involving the Doctrine of Double Effect, one must assess whether the benefits of the action (the good effect) are significant enough to justify the existence of the drawbacks (the bad effect). This is particularly relevant in medical ethics, such as in palliative care scenarios, where a treatment may alleviate suffering but also has possible negative consequences.

The other options either do not align with the foundational principles of the Doctrine of Double Effect or misinterpret its application, emphasizing the importance of understanding the balance and moral reasoning involved when navigating complex ethical dilemmas.

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