Health Overhaul (PP15)

Read the article below on the pros and cons of the proposed healthcare overhaul in the US. What compromises should the government make, or not make, to pass the bill. Defend your position.

Article from Yahoo! News.

Organ Allocation (PP14)

Policies that guide the distribution or allocation of organs have always been controversial. Please read the articles below and discuss how organs should be allocated in the US and why?

Ethics of Organ Transplants (About.com summary)
The Waiting Game (PBS)
Distributing Donor Organs (PBS)
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
About Organ Allocation (Transplant Living)
Organ Allocation Issues (Miracosta College)
Controversies in Organ Donation (Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation Journal)
Infant Heart Transplant Controversy (US News)
Human Organs for Sale (New Internationalist)
Do US Hospitals Push Organ Black Market (CBS News)
So What About Mickey Mantle (Wordpress Donate Life Blog)
Natalie Cole Kidney came From Deceased Fan (CNN)
Jobs Travel to Transplant Mecca Shows System Flaws (Bloomberg)
Britain to Outlaw Most Private Organ Donations (Yahoo! News)

Medical Regulation (PP13)

Read the background articles (below) on controversial Mississippi Medical Examiner, Steven Hayne. Should the government do more to regulate the credentials and behavior of health practitioners working with the dead? Why or why not? What are the underlying philosophical issues in this particular situation. Defend your position.

Articles:
From Reason Online -
One
Two
Three
From Slate -
One

Health Care Systems (PP12)

Compare and contrast the healthcare systems discussed in Frontline's Sick Around the World documentary. Explain which system has done the best job of balancing private interests and public good and why.

Health Care Reform (PP11)

Is healthcare a fundamental right or is it a privilege? Defend your position.

Health Care Rationing (PP10)

Read the article Why We Must Ration Health Care by Peter Singer. Does the author make a good case for rationing? Why or why not?

Alternative Medicine (PP9)

Should publicly funded health programs pay for alternative services and treatments that have not been tested in controlled clinical settings? Why or why not?

Animal Rights Extremism (PP8)

Read the articles and commentary below about animal rights extremists and the recent car firebombings. What rights, if any, do animals have? Why or why not? Is the type of violence discussed in these articles ever justified as a means to stop animal research?

Animal Research Activists Firebomb Car
Press Release from UCLA Newsroom

More on the UCLA Firebombing
From the LA Times

Commentary on Animal Rights Extremists
From Adventures in Ethics and Science Blog

Right to Refuse Treatment (PP7)

Is it ethical for parents to refuse potentially life-saving medical treatment for their minor children? Consider the recent cases of Daniel Hauser and Madeline (Kara) Neumann in your response.

In the case of Daniel Hauser, his parents refused chemotherapy to treat his cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). In the case of Madeline (Kara) Neumann, her parents withheld insulin and chose to treat her Type I Diabetes with prayer.

Background info on both cases is below, followed by video clips.

Daniel Hauser:
Science Blogs (Respectful Insolence) 05/12/2009
Science Blogs (Pharyngula) 05/15/2009
Fox News 05/19/2009
NY Daily News 05/19/2009
USA Today 05/21/2009
KSTP 05/26/2009
CNN 05/26/2009
MPR 05/27/2009
Star Tribune 05/29/2009
MPR 06/23/2009

Madeline (Kara) Neumann:
FoxNews 03/26/2008
CBC News 03/28/2008
Journal Sentinel 04/29/2008
WTMJ 05/15/2009
Religion News Blog 05/20/2009
WTMJ 06/15/2009
Court Filings - Courtesy of WTMJ
AZ Central 07/27/2009
MSNBC 08/01/2009
BBC 08/02/2009
Pharyngula Blog 08/02/2009
BBC 10/07/2009

Daniel Hauser Related Video Clips:









Madeline (Kara) Neumann Related Video Clips:

Creating a Life to Save a Life (PP6)

Read the case about the Spanish stem cell baby created specifically to save his brother's life. Do you agree with the parent's decision? Why or why not? What are the significant moral considerations in this case? What consideration is decisive for you?

AZ HB2564 - Abortion in AZ (PP5)

The state of Arizona recently passed legislation (to take effect September 30, 2009) that would further restrict abortion within the state. The legislation mandates a 24 hour waiting period, allows only physicians to perform the procedure (currently nurse practitioners can perform abortions in AZ), and allow medical professionals to refuse to participate based on moral opposition. Please read AZ HB 2564 and the articles below. Are the new changes ethical? Why or why not? As you formulate your opinion, keep in mind that in some cases there is a direct conflict between the health and/or reproductive rights of women and the religious freedom of the healthcare provider. In such instances, what criteria should be used to evaluate the rights and responsibilities of both parties, when should each prevail and why?

Arizona Legislature (June 2009) - HB2564
AZ Central (02/27/2009) - Obama moves to overturn abortion conscience rule
Arizona Republic (09/15/2009) - Two groups sue to block Arizona abortion laws

Roe v Wade (PP4)

Please read the 1973 US Supreme Court Decision in the case of Roe v Wade provided via the linked Touro College website. Discuss the following: What did the Supreme Court say about personhood, privacy, and state rights and obligations? Was the Supreme Court capricious in its decision or was the case carefully considered and the reasoning sound? Why or why not?

US Health Reform (PP3)

Watch the September 09, 2009 Presidential address to Congress regarding health care reform in the United States. What do you think are the biggest ethical issues remaining in the debate and why?

Care for the beginning of life (PP2)

Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?

Care for the dying (PP1)

Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Five - Issues in Care for the Dying. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?

Welcome to PHI213

Welcome to the GateWay Community College Bioethics blog. The purpose of this blog is to share information about recent scientific advancements and their impact on medical and bioethics, and to debate classic and current ethical dilemmas. Enjoy!

Organ Allocation (PP15)

Policies that guide the distribution or allocation of organs have always been controversial. Please read the articles below and discuss how organs should be allocated and why?

Ethics of Organ Transplants (About.com summary)
The Waiting Game (PBS)
Distributing Donor Organs (PBS)
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
About Organ Allocation (Transplant Living)
Organ Allocation Issues (Miracosta College)
Controversies in Organ Donation (Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation Journal)
Infant Heart Transplant Controversy (US News)
Human Organs for Sale (New Internationalist)
Do US Hospitals Push Organ Black Market (CBS News)
So What About Mickey Mantle (Wordpress Donate Life Blog)
Natalie Cole Kidney came From Deceased Fan (CNN)
Jobs Travel to Transplant Mecca Shows System Flaws (Bloomberg)
Britain to Outlaw Most Private Organ Donations (Yahoo! News)

Medical Regulation (PP14)

Read the background articles (below) on controversial Mississippi Medical Examiner, Steven Hayne. Should the government do more to regulate the credentials and behavior of health practitioners working with the dead? Why or why not? What are the underlying philosophical issues in this particular situation. Defend your position.

Articles:
From Reason Online -
One
Two
Three
From Slate -
One

Healthcare - Right or Privilege (PP13)

Is health care a right of all Americans? Why or why not? Should coverage be universal? How should coverage be paid? What universal principles should be applied in determining costs and coverages? Defend your position.

Health Care Systems (PP12)

Compare and contrast the healthcare systems discussed in Frontline's Sick Around the World documentary. Explain which system has done the best job of balancing private interests and public good and why.

Alternative Medicine (PP11)

Should publicly funded health programs pay for alternative services and treatments that have not been tested in controlled clinical settings? Why or why not?

Animal Rights Extremism (PP10)

Read the articles and commentary below about animal rights extremists and the recent car firebombings. What rights, if any, do animals have? Why or why not? Is the type of violence discussed in these articles ever justified as a means to stop animal research?

Animal Research Activists Firebomb Car
Press Release from UCLA Newsroom

More on the UCLA Firebombing
From the LA Times

Commentary on Animal Rights Extremists
From Adventures in Ethics and Science Blog

Should Healthcare Be Rationed? (PP9)

Read the article Why We Must Ration Health Care by Peter Singer. Does the author make a good case for rationing? Why or why not?

Organ Transplants - Child Donors (PP8)

Should children be used as organ donors? Current Japanese policy prohibitions are currently being considered for revision. Read the articles below as background information and then state (and defend) your position.

Japan May End Ban from Yahoo! News
Pediatric Group May Accept Child Organ Donations from Japan Times Online
Organ Transplant Law Falls Short (pdf) from Daily Yomiuri Online
Proposal for Organ Transplant Law Revision from International Network for Life Studies
Japan Ends Ban On Child Organ Donations from Yahoo! News

Creating a Life to Save a Life (PP7)

Read the case about the Spanish stem cell baby created specifically to save his brother's life. Do you agree with the parent's decision? Why or why not? What are the significant moral considerations in this case? What consideration is decisive for you?

Right to Refuse Treatment (PP6)

Is it ethical for parents to refuse potentially life-saving medical treatment for their minor children? Consider the recent cases of Daniel Hauser and Madeline (Kara) Neumann in your response.

In the case of Daniel Hauser, his parents refused chemotherapy to treat his cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). In the case of Madeline (Kara) Neumann, her parents withheld insulin and chose to treat her Type I Diabetes with prayer.

Background info on both cases is below, followed by video clips.

Daniel Hauser:
Science Blogs (Respectful Insolence) 05/12/2009
Science Blogs (Pharyngula) 05/15/2009
Fox News 05/19/2009
NY Daily News 05/19/2009
USA Today 05/21/2009
KSTP 05/26/2009
CNN 05/26/2009
MPR 05/27/2009
Star Tribune 05/29/2009
MPR 06/23/2009

Madeline (Kara) Neumann:
FoxNews 03/26/2008
CBC News 03/28/2008
Journal Sentinel 04/29/2008
WTMJ 05/15/2009
Religion News Blog 05/20/2009
WTMJ 06/15/2009
Court Filings - Courtesy of WTMJ
AZ Central 07/27/2009
MSNBC 08/01/2009
BBC 08/02/2009
Pharyngula Blog 08/02/2009

Daniel Hauser Related Video Clips:









Madeline (Kara) Neumann Related Video Clips:

Stem Cell Research (PP5)

Is stem cell research ethical? Why or why not? Should any type of stem cell research be permitted in the US? If so, what limitations, if any, should be placed on such research? Why or why not?

Conscience Laws and the Rights of Individuals (PP4)

The federal government, as well as many states, have enacted "conscience" laws to protect medical professionals from being required to perform medical procedures to which they are morally opposed. In some cases, there is a direct conflict between the health and/or reproductive rights of women and the religious freedom of the healthcare provider. In such instances, what criteria should be used to evaluate the rights and responsibilities of both parties, when should each prevail and why?

Background information can be found at the links below:
EurekAlert
Az Republic - Obama to potentially overturn federal ruling
Az Republic - State conscience law
AZ Central - Recent legislation signed by Governor
AZ Central - More on recent legislation signed by Governor
Conscience Laws Org

Roe v Wade (PP3)

Please read the 1973 US Supreme Court Decision in the case of Roe v Wade provided via the linked Touro College website. Discuss the following: What did the Supreme Court say about personhood, privacy, and state rights and obligations? Was the Supreme Court capricious in its decision or was the case carefully considered and the reasoning sound? Why or why not?

Ethical and Religious Directives - Beginning of Life (PP2)

Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?

Ethical and Religious Directives - Care for the Dying (PP1)

Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Five - Issues in Care for the Dying. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?

Welcome Summer PHI213 Students!

Welcome to the GateWay Community College Bioethics blog. The purpose of this blog is to share information about recent scientific advancements and their impact on medical and bioethics, and to debate classic and current ethical dilemmas. Enjoy!

Health Care Systems (PP13)

Compare and contrast the healthcare systems discussed in Frontline's Sick Around the World documentary. Explain which system has done the best job of balancing private interests and public good and why.

Global Pandemics (PP12)

What type of guidelines should the US be using to address the threat of potential global pandemics such as Swine flu? What criteria should be used to determine how limited resources will be allocated and why?

Organ Transplants (PP11)

Should children be used as organ donors? Current Japanese policy prohibitions are currently being considered for revision. Read the articles below as background information and then state (and defend) your position.

Japan May End Ban from Yahoo! News
Pediatric Group May Accept Child Organ Donations from Japan Times Online
Organ Transplant Law Falls Short (pdf) from Daily Yomiuri Online
Proposal for Organ Transplant Law Revision from International Network for Life Studies

Health Care - Right or Privilege (PP10)

Is health care a right of all Americans? Why or why not? Should coverage be universal? How should coverage be paid? What universal principles should be applied in determining costs and coverages? Defend your position.

Preventing the Spread of HIV/AIDS (PP9)

Should religious leaders, such as the pope be weighing in on condom use to prevent the spread of disease? Why or why not? Do religious leaders have an obligation to understand the science and provide medically accurate information? Or are they only obligated to uphold religious dogma? Why or why not?

Background information is available at the links below:

BBC News
CBS News
RTE News
All Africa
AFP Google
Health Know It All Blog
Reuters UK
US News and World Report
Kaiser

Reproductive vs Religious Rights (PP8)

The federal government, as well as many states, have enacted "conscience" laws to protect medical professionals from being required to perform medical procedures to which they are morally opposed. In some cases, there is a direct conflict between the health of women and the religious freedom of the healthcare provider. In such instances, what criteria should be used to evaluate the rights and responsibilities of both parties, when should each prevail and why?

Background information can be found at the links below:
EurekAlert
Az Republic - Obama to potentially overturn federal ruling
Az Republic - State conscience law
Conscience Laws Org

Animal Rights Extremism (PP7)

Read the articles and commentary below about animal rights extremists and the recent car firebombings. What rights, if any, do animals have? Why or why not? Is the type of violence discussed in these articles ever justified as a means to stop animal research?

Animal Research Activists Firebomb Car
Press Release from UCLA Newsroom

More on the UCLA Firebombing
From the LA Times

Commentary on Animal Rights Extremists
From Adventures in Ethics and Science Blog

Abortion in Children (PP6)

A nine year old Brazilian girl, raped by her stepfather and pregnant with twins, recently obtained an abortion. The physicians who performed the procedure have insisted that, in their medical judgment, this was necessary to save the child's future health and life. The Catholic Church has objected to the medical procedure and are moving toward excommunication of all involved in its procurement and performance. Read about the case (links below) and answer the following questions:

What are the underlying ethical concerns in this case?
If there are competing interests, whose should prevail and why?

Links:
Article from MSNBC
Commentary from Pharyngula Blog

Feel free to use other sources of information or commentary about the case as well.

Ethics and Religion (PP5)

Is religious belief NECESSARY for ethical decisions and/or behavior? Are Atheists as ethical as/more ethical/less ethical than Christians? Why or why not?

Stem Cell Research (PP4)

Is stem cell research ethical? Why or why not? Should any type of stem cell research be permitted in the US? If so, what limitations, if any, should be placed on such research? Why or why not?

Roe v Wade (PP3)

Please read the 1973 US Supreme Court Decision in the case of Roe v Wade provided via the linked Touro College website. Discuss the following: What did the Supreme Court say about personhood, privacy, and state rights and obligations? Was the Supreme Court capricious in its decision or was the case carefully considered and the reasoning sound? Why or why not?

Right to Die (PP2) Case Continued

The case of the Italian woman in a persistent vegetative state continues. Click here for the latest.

Right to Die (PP2)

Please read the case of an Italian woman who has spent 17 years in a vegetative state. As you read and respond to the case, please consider the following: Did the Italian courts make the right decision in ordering the feeding tube removed? Who should be able to make such life and death decisions? Are advance directives ethical and appropriate? Why or why not?

Creating Life to Save a Life (PP1)

Read the case about the Spanish stem cell baby created specifically to save his brother's life. Do you agree with the parent's decision? Why or why not? What are the significant moral considerations in this case? What consideration is decisive for you?