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!