Animal Rights (PP6)

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

Due October 5, 2012

Forced Sterilization (PP5)

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

Due October 1, 2012

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

The Right to Refuse Care (PP4)

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.

Due September 21, 2012

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

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?

Due September 14, 2012.

Care for the Beginning of Life (PP2)

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

Due September 7, 2012 
The directives can be found on the class BlackBoard site. 

Care for the Dying (PP1)

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

Due August 31, 2012 
The directives can be found on the class BlackBoard site.

Welcome Fall 2012 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!