Treatment of the Mentally Ill (PP13)

Read the article The Homeless Brother I Cannot Save and explain how social issues of the mentally ill can be ethically addressed.

Health Care Rationing (PP12)

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?

Health Care Reform (PP11)

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

Alternative Medicine (PP10)

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

Human Subjects Research (PP9)

Beginning in 1990, Arizona State University began a study using DNA from the Havasupai Tribe in Arizona. Read the articles at the links below. Discuss the importance of informed consent in human subjects research.

Indian tribe wins fight to limit research of its DNA
From the New York Times (04/22/2010)

Havasupai case highlights risks of DNA research
From the New York Times (04/23/2010)

Informed consent and the ethics of DNA research
From the New York Times (04/23/2010)

Animal Rights (PP8)

View the video clip and read the essay linked below. Then answer the following questions. Do animals have rights? Why or why not?

Tom Regan, PhD
Philosopher, North Carolina State University

The Case for Animal Rights

Essay - The Case for Animal Rights
by Tom Regan

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

Forced Sterilization (PP6)

Read the informational pieces below and discuss the issue of reproductive control including ethical considerations of mandatory sterilization policies.

Uzbek women allege forced sterilization - Salon (07/19/2010)
Social origins of eugenics - Paul Lombardo, UVA

Right to Refuse Treatment (PP5)

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 (PP4)

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?

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?

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!