Holiday Ethics

While this article takes a light-hearted approach to "Santa the public health menace," some of the jokes ring true. The ethical issue that the journalist-turn-comedian gets at is whether parents should be limiting their children's exposure to unhealthy role models? Perhaps if there were some other jolly, old fat man who thought he was magical the parents wouldn't be as pleased. So, does that mean that in the sake of tradition, it is ethically defensible to encourage children's admiration of unhealthy behaviors?

(Submitted by Tara Vaughn)

Organ Donation and Kidney Transplants

In class, specifically during one group's presentations, we talked about organ donation. The following article describes a program which helped supply new kidneys to 13 patients through a mix-and-match effort. Our discussions focused on whether or not one should be able to decide who gets their organs. In this article, friends or family members who were not matches to needed recipients would give their kidneys to others in order to get one in return for their friend or family member in need. Although they do not get to pick where their organs go, is this really an altruistic action considering these people know they will be receiving a kidney for a loved one in return? In addition, do these kidney matching programs conflict with traditional UNOS lists?


(Submitted by Caren Steinway)

Doctor-Patient Relations

The doctor-patient relationship has been a changing one ever since its inception. Traditionally focused on the ideas of beneficence and paternalism, the doctor-patient relationship has now changed into one that focuses on autonomy. The following article addresses the issue of doctors being called by their first names during routine clinical visits. Does this alter the doctor's ability to do no harm? To benefit others? Does this matter at all?


(Submitted by Caren Steinway)

PGD and IVF

As we improve technology more and more, we are faced with ethical dilemmas that were unimaginable to past generations. In the following article, a technique called PGD is highlighted. This technique was developed to allow doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders when using IVF. In addition to screening for these genetic disorders, it is also possible to detect the babies sex. Is it ethical for parents to choose the sex of the embryos being implanted? What further ethical dilemmas can you see stem from this? In addition, the article shows the opinions of people from different countries. Do the differing view points impact the ethical issues at play? How does cultural relativism play a role? More info is available here.

(Submitted by Caren Steinway)

H1N1 Vaccine Revisited

In light of the H1N1 outbreak that began last spring, there was extreme determination to create and distribute large quantities of vaccine to protect against the virus. One of the most targeted populations for this vaccine have been children. The following article highlights a current recall of H1N1 vaccine that was targeted for young children. Although the vaccine poses no health risks to the children, the vaccine is not potent enough. Taking the utilitarian approach (the greatest good for the greatest number of people), is there a moral problem here? Is it safe to say that the companies producing the vaccine did so too quickly thus compromising the positive affect they could have? More info is available here.

The Ethics of the Octomom

We talked about this awhile ago, but I thought this article brought up some interesting issues that never came up in class, namely the insurance aspect of the case. Medical insurance covers IVF, so people like the Octomom have the opportunity to have children; however, those without insurance must pay out of pocket, which can run in the tens of thousands of dollars. With the right to give birth being a negative right, how can doctors and insurance companies limit a woman's ability? Why is the right to have children only a wealthy right? Should abuses, like the octomom, constitute grounds for unethical behavior by both the mother and the doctor? What can be done to stop such abuses, and allow for more equitable justice of the right to give birth?

(Submitted by Jane Tingley)

Assisted Suicide

In this article, a man was found trying to assist his terminally ill wife in her own death. Principally, is this ethical or unethical? Consider the rights that family members have in other medical circumstances. Compare this case to the Terri Schiavo case. What similarities are there? Why is this case ethically different?

(Submitted by Jane Tingley)