MEDICAL ETHICS Written Assignments
OBSERVE THE DUE DATES!! Check on due dates: Calendar
This Philosophy Class is a Writing Intensive (WI) Class.
CRITERIA FOR WRITING INTENSIVE (WI) CLASSES
A. Writing
All WI Classes shall meet all of the following criteria:
1. Throughout a semester, students spend a portion of their class time writing in the service of learning course material. This writing may be informal and un-graded.
The written assignments satisfy this criteria. The last assignment is informal and low stakes.
2. A minimum of 10 pages of formal writing will be assigned and will be achieved by assigning several short papers, one short paper plus a longer one, or one longer paper assigned in stages that are each guided and responded to by the faculty member.
This minimum is more than met by the written assignments.
3. These 10 pages are responded to and returned to the student by the faculty member so that the student has the opportunity to revise before a final grade for the assignment is given.
The instructor returns the formal written assignments indicating where they may have lost points. Students will have 48 hours to revise and resubmit.
4. The faculty member regularly discusses student writing in class.
The instructor goes over the assignment and provides a sample of a submission that serves as a model.
5. Each time a writing assignment is given, the faculty member discusses and clarifies the assignment and his or her expectations for it.
The instructor goes over the assignment and provides a sample of a submission that serves as a model
Click on the module title below for the assignment for that module.
INSTRUCTIONS for PREPARING and SUBMITTING WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
MODULE 3 THE MORAL CLIMATE OF HEALTH CARE
MODULE 4 PROFESSIONALISM ELITISM AND HEALTH CARE
MODULE 6 RIGHTS TRUTH AND CONSENT
MODULE 7 HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION
MODULE : MID COURSE EVALUATIONS AND CHANGES
MODULE 9 SEVERELY IMPAIRED NEWBORNS, FUTILITY AND INFANTICIDE
MODULE 11 DELIBERATE TERMINATION OF LIFE AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE
MODULE 12 REPRODUCTION , ASSISTANCE AND CONTROL
MODULE 13 ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES: SCARCITY AND TRIAGE
MODULE 14 A CLAIM OF A RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE
MODULE : CULMINATING ACTIVITY: BONUS EXERCISE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AND SUBMITTING : CASE STUDIES
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MODULE 0
ORIENTATION
ASSIGNMENTS: ORIENTATION WEEK
For this first module you are expected to COMPLETE ALL the TEN STEPS TO START OFF
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Written Assignment for MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Read the first chapter of the online textbook and then please answer each of the questions below. Answer each based on your personal views and experiences. There are no correct or incorrect answers. Short answers are acceptable (100 - 300 words in total for all 4)
1. Why is it necessary for anyone to care about ethics? For you why do you think it is absolutely required based on your values as a human being?
2. Of what value would knowledge of the principles of ethics be to people confronted with moral problems or dilemmas?
3. How is a person any better off knowing about Biomedical Ethics when confronting moral problems ? Base this on your personal life experiences thus far. Please do not use actual names of parties that may have been involved in your experiences.
4. Why do you think that you have anything to gain beyond the credits for taking this course and coming to understand the issues and principles related to Ethics and Biomedical Ethics in particular? Base this on your personal life experiences thus far. Please do not use actual names of parties that may have been involved in your experiences.
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 2 ETHICS
I. Reading Comprehension
For EACH of the following 5 theories: consequential :A) Ethical Egoism B) Rule Utility /// non-consequential:C) Natural Law Theory D) Kant E) Rawls What is the major strength and three (3) weaknesses in each theory. Copy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www).
II.
Critical ThinkingBased on your reading and understanding of the materials in the Module on Ethics in this course answer what makes any act morally good? Since no human action when witnessed by human beings has a sign hanging over it indicating its moral status what is the source or how is it that actions are thought to be morally good or immoral? This is asking you to think carefully and to think about what underlies every moral judgment people make about human conduct. DO NOT answer with what you yourself think in particular makes a human action morally good. DO NOT answer with some particular idea you have about about the moral good. Do answer with the general description of how human actions are thought to be morally good or not good, bad , incorrect or otherwise. On what do such thoughts of moral appraisal rest? What is the basis for humans reaching a moral judgment about a human action?
When people think of some human action as being morally good or bad or incorrect or right or wrong they are making a moral judgment. That judgment rests upon some idea (principle) of the moral GOOD. Just what makes an action GOOD or not good is always a judgment made by some humans. So what makes any human action morally good is a judgment and what makes the judgment is some idea of the moral GOOD and that would be some principle of the GOOD. This module presented some of those principles. You will be learning more of how they operate as the semester proceeds.
Let’s consider it this way. A person (the judge) makes a moral judgment about some human action. The judge declares the action to be wrong or bad or immoral. Then that person is asked why make that judgment. Judge replies “Because it is wrong , that’s why.” Then the judge is asked but “Why do you think so?” We attempt to get the judge to realize or reveal just what is the ultimate basis for the moral judgment made. Now the reply of the judge can vary . Let’s look at a few.
“it’s against God’s Law” this reply could indicate that the judge is using Divine Command principle. If asked “what is god’s law?” The judge might reply “ It is against nature as god made it.” This might indicate that the judge is using Natural Law principle.
“I don’ like it. That’s why” and this might indicate the judge is using Egoism as a basic ethical principle for moral judgments.
“it doesn’t please me” or It does not make me happy” and this might indicate the judge is using Egoism as a basic ethical principle for moral judgments.
“People are going to be upset about this” or “acting like that upsets people” or Acting like that will make lots of people upset or angry.” This might indicate the principle of Utility is being used for making moral judgments.
“You just don’t treat people that way. No one should be treated like that.” This might indicate the Kantian Categorical Imperative is being used to make the moral judgment.
“ It is not fair, that’s why.” Or Acting like that is not fair to those who are less fortunate “ “Acting that way does not help us to live together and treat others as equals .” This reply might indicate that the Maxi Min principle is being used to make the moral judgment.
I hope that you now realize what this part of the assignment is intended to have you realize and also better understand one of the main points of Module 2 and of this course. Underlying each and every moral judgment humans make is some basic principle or theory or idea of the MORAL GOOD upon which teh moral judgment rests. Now put this into your own words as your response to this part of assignment for module
________. Based on your reading and understanding of the materials in the Module on Ethics in this course answer what makes any act morally good?
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 3 THE MORAL CLIMATE OF HEALTH CARE
NUMBER EACH PART of YOUR SUBMISSION
1. Reading Comprehension
In this module there has been discussion of values and conflicts in values. Institutional or Economic Values vs Individual or Human Values have been presented.
What are those Institutional Values (list them) and what are the Individual Human Values (list them) and how do they clash? C
opy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www).2. Critical Thinking
In health care, medicine and medical research there often occurs a clash in values. These conflicts exist amongst the providers and between the providers and the recipients of care.
Provide an example of one such conflict.
1. Describe the situation or case: the source of case for illustration may be from the textbook, any site on the Internet, any case reported in the media(print or electronic) or a case you witnessed or know about yourself. If it is a personal experience PLEASE do not use actual names of the persons involved.
2. state what the conflict is
3.
state clearly and deliberately underline what the Institutional Values and the Individual Human Values are that are in conflict. BE SURE that you do this. State the values . Be explicit and clear. Underline for emphasis the exact words describing the actions in the case that indicate the value.If you choose to use a personal case please do not use names or identify yourself. Put it in the third person and use pseudonyms.
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 4 PROFESSIONALISM ELITISM AND HEALTH CARE
1. Reading Comprehension
A. What are the professional codes of physicians or medical societies based upon? Are they ethical codes? If not, what are they? If so, how are they ethical? What purpose (s) do such ethical codes serve? Base your answer on the reading in the online textbook. B. Describe the following models for the doctor-patient or scientist-subject relationship and discuss any problematic characteristics of each.
1. Code
2.Contract
3. Covenant and Consent as a Canon of Loyalty
2. Critical Thinking
What are the desirable and undesirable characteristics of each model for the doctor-patient or scientist-subject relationship , if any, and why do you think so? Include the ideas of philanthropy, proficiency, loyalty and responsive obligation in your answer. BE SURE that you include each of these ideas philanthropy, proficiency, loyalty and responsive obligation in your answer. That is where the critical thinking comes in.
Consider the definitions of the words: philanthropy, proficiency, loyalty and responsive obligation.
Then consider the three models . With what model would you associate these ideas: philanthropy, proficiency, loyalty and responsive obligation?
Each model may have one or two or none. Describe them using these ideas. Which model has what idea that you can associate with it?
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 5 ETHICS AND NURSING
1. Reading Comprehension
A.
What are the nurse's duties and responsibilities toward recipients of their care? < It is quite a list!! Copy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www).B.
Discuss the nurse-physician conflict where ethical duties and rights are concerned. < They have different roles and operate out of different models!!!C.
How can nurses serve as advocates for the recipients of their care? What does that advocacy involve? Copy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www).2. Critical Thinking
D. Explain the notion of collective responsibility and the conditions under which it comes into being and how it might apply to nurses. This is given in the online textbook. Copy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www). After doing that you may offer an example of a case if you wish to do so.
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 6 RIGHTS TRUTH AND CONSENT
1. Reading Comprehension
The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments.
Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles such as include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.A.
Do people have the ethical right to Informed Consent? What ethical principle supports this "right"? Explain how the principle supports the "right" as a "good" thing. If not, why not?Why? What are the difficulties with it? What limitations might exist?
B. Do people have the right to know their diagnosis and prognosis as well as anything else connected with their condition, their treatment and its consequences? What ethical principle supports this "right"? Explain how the principle supports the "right" as a "good" thing. If not, why not?
C. Is it the right of people receiving health care to have the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth from their physicians insofar as their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is concerned? If so, what is it based upon? What ethical principle supports this "right"? Explain how the principle supports the "right" as a "good" thing. If not, why not?
2. Critical Thinking
D. What are the limits on the autonomy of a person and then of a person reduced to the role of a "patient"? Copy and paste from the free online textbook providing the url for its location on the world wide web (www).
E. Under what circumstances can confidentiality be breached? Provide an ethical justification (ethical principle+reasoning) for your position.
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 7 HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION
Two Assignments to choose from-choose only one! Choose only one (1) dilemma !
OPTION 1 Dilemma 1
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in Human Experimentation
Background:
Dr. Evelyn Carter, a lead researcher at a prominent biomedical research
institute, is conducting a clinical trial to test a new gene-editing therapy for
a rare genetic disorder, GHD-1. The disorder causes progressive muscle
degeneration, leading to loss of mobility and early mortality. Current
treatments only manage symptoms, and the new therapy, if successful, could offer
a cure.
The trial is in Phase I, focusing on safety and dosing. Participants include 10 adults with advanced GHD-1 who have exhausted all other treatment options. The therapy uses CRISPR-Cas9 technology to correct the genetic mutation causing the disorder. While the animal studies were promising, the therapy carries significant risks, including unintended genetic changes, immune reactions, and even death.
One participant, Mr. Lucas Johnson, a 34-year-old father of two, expresses concern about the risks but decides to enroll in the trial, motivated by hope for a cure and the desire to contribute to scientific advancement. However, after the first round of treatment, he experiences severe side effects, including organ inflammation and neurological symptoms. Lucas’ condition stabilizes but leaves him with long-term impairments. His wife, Emily, accuses the research team of downplaying the risks and coercing Lucas into participating.
The Ethical Dilemma:__________________
ASSIGNMENT OPTION 1 CRITICAL THINKING:
1. State what the ethical problems are in this case above involving Lucas Johnson. There are several. State at least three of them.
2. Use only ONE of either of these two articles!!!!! State what the author’s ethical position would be on this case of Lucas Johnson if they were asked.
State what the ethical position (ethical principle used by) of Hellman and Hellman would be concerning this situation with Lucas Johnson and why you think so. Summarize their thinking-use quotes.
The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of thes>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
State what the ethical position or the ethical principles used by Hellman and Hellman. What would Hellman and Hellman make of this case of Lucas Johnson? Would he think it was being handled in a manner that was morally correct or not? Summarize his thinking-use quotes.
READ Hellman and Hellman are Samuel Hellman and Deborah H. Hellman authors of "Of Mice but not Men: Problems of the randomized Clinical Trial" New England Journal of Medicine. Vol. 324 no 22 (1991) pp 1585-1589 http://digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/fac_pubs/1072/
READ Title: Philosophical Reflections on Experimenting with Human Subjects Author: Hans Jonas Publication Information: This essay is included, on pp.105-131, in a 1980 re-edition of Jonas' Philosophical Essays: From Current Creed to Technological Man, published by the University of Chicago Press available here https://www.sfu.ca/~andrewf/jonas.pdf Summary and comments here: http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/MEDICAL_ETHICS_TEXT/Chapter_7_Human_Experimentation/Readings.htm
State what the ethical position (ethical principle used by) Hans Jonas. What would Hans Jonas make of this case of Lucas Johnson? Would he think it was being handled in a manner that was morally correct or not? Summarize his thinking-use quotes.
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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OPTION 2 Dilemma 2:
Human Experimentation: Alternate Written Assignment on Experimentation in the time of Pandemic Covid-19
Topic: Use of a drug/vaccine challenge test
A drug/vaccine challenge test is a test where the researchers gives subjects a small amount of a drug/vaccine while observing the subjects to watch for a reaction. In the case of a vaccine the subjects are given the vaccine and then actually exposed to / given the virus to observe the results.
In a few cases where such a test has been done there was available rescue/salvage therapy which is a treatment designed to suppress resistant virus following combination antiviral treatment. In other words there is a therapy to counter the consequences of contracting the virus and its symptoms and possible outcomes.
As of January 2023 there were no known rescue therapies for Covid-19.
RESOURCES: (you need to acquire more than these three)
Jul 20, 2020 - Researchers use human challenges to test vaccines for other ... drugs can help “rescue” study participants if the vaccine doesn't work. Human challenge trials intentionally place human subjects in harm’s way, so it is imperative that care be taken about when and how they are conducted. One prominent medical ethicist says challenge trials for COVID-19 vaccines might be the way to go, given the enormous morbidity and mortality associated with the infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Human challenge trials intentionally place human subjects in harm’s way, so it is imperative that care be taken about when and how they are conducted. One prominent medical ethicist, Arthur Caplan, says challenge trials for COVID-19 vaccines might be the way to go, given the enormous morbidity and mortality associated with the infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
4. Britain Infected Volunteers With the Coronavirus. Why Won’t the U.S.? Oct. 14, 2021 Kate Murphy https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/14/opinion/covid-human-challenge-trial.html?searchResultPosition=1
the Common Cold Unit established and refined a model for so-called human challenge studies that paved the way for the first Covid-19 human challenge study just completed in Britain, where young, healthy and unvaccinated volunteers were infected with the coronavirus that causes Covid while researchers carefully monitored how their bodies responded.
ASSIGNMENT OPTION
2 Critical Thinking -0.5 points for each of 6 parts total 3 points1. State what the ethical problems are in this case of the challenge testing. There are several. State at least three of them.
2. Should there be an accelerated schedule for the testing (experimentation) of therapies for those inflicted with covid-19? Answer yes or no and provide an ethical principle to support your answer.The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
3. Should there be an accelerated schedule for the testing (experimentation) of vaccines to protect against infection by covid-19?Answer yes or no and provide an ethical principle to support your answer.
4. Should there be the testing of drugs used for other purposes and the continued testing when it is noted that that the drug produces cardiovascular problems for some recipients? Answer yes or no and provide an ethical principle to support your answer.
5. Should there be a Challenge test for the vaccine? Answer yes or no and provide an ethical principle to support your answer.
6. State what the ethical position (ethical principle used by) of Arthur Caplan or any other ethicist in an article you have read and provide the link to the article.
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 8 ABORTION Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in Abortion and Maternal Health
Background:
Mrs. Rachel Thompson, a 35-year-old woman, is 22 weeks pregnant with her second
child. She is admitted to the hospital with severe complications from
preeclampsia, including dangerously high blood pressure, proteinuria, and signs
of liver and kidney dysfunction. The obstetrician, Dr. Nguyen, informs Rachel
and her husband, Mark, that continuing the pregnancy poses a significant risk to
Rachel’s life. The fetus, while viable with intensive neonatal care, has a low
chance of survival at this gestational age, and there is a high likelihood of
severe complications if delivered prematurely.
Dr. Nguyen presents two options: an immediate termination of the pregnancy to stabilize Rachel’s health or continued close monitoring with the possibility of preterm delivery if Rachel’s condition deteriorates further. Rachel and Mark are devoutly religious and have strong beliefs about the sanctity of life. While they express a desire to prioritize Rachel’s health, they are deeply conflicted about terminating the pregnancy.
The Ethical Dilemma:
This case involves competing ethical considerations, including the value of
maternal life, the potential viability of the fetus, and the couple’s religious
convictions. The medical team faces the challenge of balancing Rachel’s autonomy
with their duty to provide the best possible care for both her and the fetus.
Key Ethical Questions:
1. Maternal vs. Fetal Interests: How should the medical team balance the rights and well-being of Rachel with the potential life of the fetus?
2. Autonomy vs. Medical Expertise: To what extent should Rachel and Mark’s religious beliefs influence the medical decision-making process?
3. Ethical Responsibility: What is the physician’s responsibility if Rachel’s decision contradicts medical recommendations?
4. Threshold of Viability: How should the possibility of fetal survival at 22 weeks impact the decision-making process?
1. Reading Comprehension
For this case of Rachel Thompson's pregnancy what would each of the following authors hold and WHY : Provide a paragraph on each explaining their positions and use some quotations from each author.
A. Sarah Jones
B. Sidney Callahan,
C. Peter Alward
Find descriptions of their positions here:
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/MEDICAL_ETHICS_TEXT/Chapter_8_Abortion/Readings.htm
2. Critical Thinking
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be on the Case of Rachel Thompson and why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of thes>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
VIDEO on Dialectical Process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zziTWJPbYyU______________________
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 9 SEVERELY IMPAIRED NEWBORNS, FUTILITY AND INFANTICIDE
Case Study: Ethical Dilemma in Infanticide
Background:
A newborn girl, Emma, was delivered prematurely at 23 weeks gestation in a rural
hospital. Emma weighs just 500 grams and requires extensive medical
interventions, including mechanical ventilation and parenteral nutrition, to
survive. The prognosis is grim, with a high likelihood of severe neurological
impairments, chronic respiratory issues, and significant developmental delays if
she survives.
Emma’s parents, Sarah and James, are a young couple with limited financial resources. They have expressed deep concerns about the quality of life Emma might have, as well as their ability to provide the care she would need. The hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has offered to continue providing aggressive care but also raised the option of palliative care, allowing nature to take its course without further interventions.
The attending neonatologist, Dr. Lopez, explains the medical options to Sarah and James, emphasizing that aggressive treatment might prolong Emma’s life but would not guarantee a meaningful recovery. Sarah and James ultimately decide to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, citing Emma’s potential suffering and their belief that this decision aligns with her best interests. However, a nurse in the NICU reports the decision to the local child welfare agency, claiming that the parents’ choice constitutes neglect and may amount to infanticide.
The Ethical Dilemma:
This situation raises profound ethical questions about parental rights, the best
interests of the child, and the boundaries of medical decision-making. The
accusation of neglect intensifies the ethical complexity, placing the parents’
decision under legal scrutiny.
Key Ethical Questions:
1. Parental Authority vs. State Intervention: To what extent should parents have the right to make life-and-death decisions for their child, and when is state intervention justified?
2. Best Interests of the Child: How should the best interests of a critically ill neonate be defined and assessed?
3. Medical Futility: When should medical professionals deem aggressive treatment futile, and how should this influence care decisions?
4. Moral and Legal Distinctions: Where is the line between allowing natural death and actively causing death, and how does this distinction affect ethical and legal interpretations of infanticide?
ASSIGNMENT MODULE 9 Critical Thinking
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be concerning the child of Sarah and James and why. You are to take a position and defend it. How would you advise Dr. Lopez of what would be morally correct or acceptable. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of thes>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
____VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU__________________
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 10 CARE OF THE DYING
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care
Background:
Ms. Eleanor Carter, a 67-year-old retired schoolteacher, was admitted to the
hospital with complications from advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Her disease had
progressed despite aggressive treatment, including surgery and multiple rounds
of chemotherapy. Eleanor’s condition is now terminal, with her medical team
estimating she has only a few weeks to live. She has been experiencing
significant pain and is dependent on medical interventions, including
intravenous medications and oxygen support.
The Ethical Dilemma:
Eleanor’s health care team consists of her primary oncologist, a palliative care
specialist, and nursing staff. Eleanor’s daughter, Sarah, and her son, Michael,
are her primary family caregivers. While Eleanor is still conscious and
communicative, her ability to make complex decisions is becoming impaired due to
the progression of her illness and increasing use of pain medications.
A central ethical dilemma arises when Eleanor’s oncologist proposes discontinuing active cancer treatment and transitioning solely to palliative care, focusing on comfort rather than prolonging life. Eleanor, in earlier discussions, expressed a strong desire “to fight until the very end,” but as her condition worsens, she has become less clear about her wishes. Sarah supports the transition to palliative care, emphasizing her mother’s comfort and dignity. Michael, however, insists on continuing aggressive treatments, arguing that Eleanor would want “every possible option pursued.”
Key Ethical Questions:
1. Autonomy vs. Beneficence: How should the medical team balance Eleanor’s previously expressed wishes with her current state and medical best practices?
2. Family Disagreement: What is the ethical approach to resolving conflicts between family members who have different interpretations of the patient’s desires?
3. Futility of Treatment: At what point should the medical team consider further treatments futile, and how should this be communicated to the family?
4. Pain Management vs. Consciousness: Should pain relief take precedence if it diminishes Eleanor’s ability to participate in decision-making?
The Resolution Process: The medical team convenes a family meeting to address the ethical issues and foster open communication. The palliative care specialist explains the benefits of focusing on comfort and dignity in Eleanor’s remaining days, providing evidence that continued aggressive treatment is unlikely to improve her quality of life or significantly extend her lifespan.
The team also engages an ethics consultant to mediate the discussion. Together, they:
· Review Eleanor’s advance directive, which specifies her preference for avoiding “unnecessary suffering” but lacks explicit instructions about ceasing aggressive treatment.
· Encourage Sarah and Michael to reflect on Eleanor’s core values and how they align with the proposed medical plan.
· Address Michael’s concerns by explaining the medical futility of further treatment and the risks of causing additional suffering.
Ultimately, the family reaches a consensus to transition Eleanor to palliative care. The team prioritizes effective pain management while maintaining open lines of communication to adjust the care plan as needed. Eleanor’s final days are spent in a hospice facility, where she receives compassionate care surrounded by her family.
ASSIGNMENT MODULE 10
PART 1. Reading Comprehension
State what the Rule Utilitarian and Natural Law positions would be in this case above involving Eleanor and why you think so for each position.
PART 2. Critical Thinking
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be on the case of Eleanor and why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments.The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of thes>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
_____VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU_________________
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 11 DELIBERATE TERMINATION OF LIFE AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in Aid in Dying
Background:
Mr. Alan Ramirez, a 58-year-old software engineer, was diagnosed with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) three years ago. His condition has
progressed to the point where he is almost entirely paralyzed, relying on a
ventilator for breathing and a feeding tube for nutrition. Despite these
interventions, he experiences frequent respiratory infections and severe
discomfort. Alan’s cognitive abilities remain intact, allowing him to
communicate through an eye-tracking device.
Alan lives in a state where medical aid in dying (MAID) is legal under strict conditions. Patients must have a terminal diagnosis, a prognosis of six months or less to live, and the ability to make and communicate health care decisions. Alan meets these criteria and has formally requested a prescription for a lethal dose of medication to end his life. He cites the desire to avoid prolonged suffering and loss of dignity as his primary reasons.
The Ethical Dilemma:
Alan’s request has sparked a moral and ethical debate within his medical team
and family. His attending physician, Dr. Patel, is deeply conflicted. While Dr.
Patel supports patient autonomy and recognizes Alan’s suffering, she personally
opposes aid in dying on moral and religious grounds. Alan’s wife, Maria,
supports his decision, emphasizing that he has always valued independence and
dignity. However, Alan’s adult son, Daniel, strongly objects, believing that his
father should not give up and that MAID is morally wrong.
Key Ethical Questions:
1. Autonomy vs. Moral Beliefs: How should Dr. Patel balance Alan’s autonomous decision with her personal moral objections?
2. Family Dynamics: How should health care providers navigate disagreements among family members about the ethical appropriateness of aid in dying?
3. Role of the Physician: What is the physician’s responsibility when their personal beliefs conflict with their patient’s legal rights and requests?
4. Psychosocial Considerations: How can the medical team ensure that Alan’s decision is free from undue influence or unaddressed psychological distress?
1. Reading Comprehension
State whether James Rachels in Active and Passive Euthanasia ( http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/DeathandDying_TEXT/Rachels_Active_Passive.htm would disagree with Daniel Callahan in his article When Self Determination Runs Amok (http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/MEDICAL_ETHICS_TEXT/Chapter_10_Care_of_the_Dying/READING_Callahan.htm in this case as to what to do in the case presented above and defend your answer giving reasons for what you think their positions would be.
Alternate locations of texts:
James Rachels in Active and Passive Euthanasia
Daniel Callahan in his article When Self Determination Runs Amok
2. Critical Thinking
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be on the Case of Mr. Alan Ramirez presented and why. What should the doctor do from an ethical viewpoint? You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
____________________VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
You may think of this assignment in this way as having 3 parts:
1.How would Rachels think of this case? What would be the moral judgment? Based on what ethical principle?
2. How would Callahan think of this case? What would be the moral judgment? Based on what ethical principle?
3. How do YOU think of this case? What would be the moral judgment? Based on what ethical principle? Complete all the 5 parts of the dialectical process in stating your judgment
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 12 REPRODUCTION , ASSISTANCE AND CONTROL
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in Human Reproduction
Background:
Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson, a couple in their early 40s, have struggled with
infertility for over a decade. After multiple failed attempts at in vitro
fertilization (IVF), they decide to pursue surrogacy. They contact a surrogacy
agency and match with Ms. Clara Lopez, a 28-year-old single mother who agrees to
act as their surrogate in exchange for financial compensation.
The agreement specifies that Ms. Lopez will carry an embryo created using Mr. Samuelson’s sperm and a donor egg, as Mrs. Samuelson’s eggs are no longer viable. At 20 weeks of gestation, prenatal testing reveals that the fetus has a severe congenital heart defect requiring multiple surgeries after birth and carries a high risk of significant physical and cognitive disabilities.
The Samuelsons, who were not prepared for this possibility, request that Ms. Lopez terminate the pregnancy, citing concerns about the child’s quality of life and their ability to provide care. Ms. Lopez, however, is opposed to abortion due to her personal beliefs and expresses her desire to continue the pregnancy, regardless of the challenges.
The Ethical Dilemma:
This situation involves a conflict between the surrogate’s autonomy and the
intended parents’ rights and expectations. The agreement does not explicitly
address decisions regarding termination in the event of fetal abnormalities,
leaving both parties in an emotionally and ethically fraught situation.
Key Ethical Questions:
1. Autonomy vs. Contractual Obligations: Does Ms. Lopez have the right to make decisions about the pregnancy, even if they conflict with the Samuelsons’ wishes?
2. Parental Rights: What are the ethical responsibilities of the intended parents regarding a child with severe disabilities, given their initial intent to have a healthy child?
3. Surrogacy Ethics: How should surrogacy agreements address complex decisions like pregnancy termination?
4. Best Interests of the Child: How should potential outcomes for the child’s quality of life influence decision-making in this case?
ASSIGNMENT MODULE 12 Critical Thinking
Provide ethical grounds for a policy with regard to surrogacy agency
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be on surrogacy agency nd why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Provide ethical grounds for a poli
cy on buying and selling of sperm to those who want a designer child . Do NOT simply respond to this case.Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
______________________VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 13 ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES: SCARCITY AND TRIAGE
Choose only one of the three options below-only one!!!
Option 1: CASE: Lifestyle factors and wealth in the decision in allocating life saving resources, such as a transplant or ventilators or blood or doctor time
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in Scarce Life-Saving Medical Resources
Background: A global pandemic has overwhelmed the healthcare system of Country X, leading to a critical shortage of life-saving ventilators in hospitals. At City General Hospital, there are 10 ventilators available, but 25 critically ill patients require ventilatory support. Dr. Harper, the chief medical officer, must determine which patients will receive the ventilators.
The patients include:
1. Anna, 35 years old, a single mother of two with no pre-existing conditions and a high likelihood of recovery.
2. James, 68 years old, a retired professor with moderate pre-existing conditions and a lower likelihood of recovery.
3. Lisa, 40 years old, a frontline healthcare worker with mild asthma and a moderate likelihood of recovery.
4. Evan, 25 years old, a recent college graduate with severe pre-existing conditions and a low likelihood of recovery.
5. Mrs. Wong, 82 years old, a retired teacher with dementia and a very low likelihood of recovery.
6. Daniel, 55 years old, a philanthropist funding pandemic relief programs, with a moderate likelihood of recovery.
The ethical dilemma revolves around how to allocate the scarce ventilators fairly and justly while considering the potential outcomes, societal impact, and individual needs.
Key Ethical Questions:
1. How should healthcare providers prioritize patients when resources are limited?
2. What role should factors like age, social contributions, or likelihood of survival play in decision-making?
3. How can healthcare providers ensure that allocation is equitable and free from bias?
Should lifestyle, wealth and income be involved in the allocation of scarce life saving medical resources? Defend your position using ETHICAL principles. Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be and why.
You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.
Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
______________________VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
Option 2: CASE: ALLOCATION of VENTILATORS (COVID-19
How
should it be determined who will receive the ventilators used to treat those in most dire condintions from the COVID-19 virus? Defend your position using ETHICAL principles. Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be and why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own. The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
______________________VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
RESOURCES: CASE: ALLOCATION of VENTILATORS (COVID-19
Option 3: CASE: VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
How
should it be determined who will receive the vaccine to prevent infection from the COVID-19 virus? Defend your position using ETHICAL principles. Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be and why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own.The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles such as include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.Use this template or form to make certain that you include each part of the process-parts a to e
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Label your parts with the letters a to e to make very clear that you have done each part.
Dialectical thinking: the 5 parts
______________________VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
RESOURCES CASE: VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE 14 A CLAIM OF A RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE
ASSIGNMENT Module 14 Critical Thinking Case Study: Right to Basic Health Care and the Requirement of Pauperization
In many developed countries, access to healthcare is considered a fundamental right. However, some systems require individuals to meet stringent financial criteria—essentially forcing them into pauperization—to qualify for healthcare services at no cost. This case study examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding this practice through the example of the United States' Medicaid program.
John, a 58-year-old U.S. resident, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and chronic heart disease. His condition requires ongoing medication, frequent medical visits, and monitoring, all of which come at a substantial cost. John worked in manufacturing for most of his life, but due to layoffs and a lack of retirement savings, he has been unemployed for two years. He has a modest savings account and owns a small home, which he inherited from his parents.
After depleting most of his savings on medical expenses, John applied for Medicaid, a state and federally funded healthcare program for low-income individuals. However, John was informed that to qualify, he must meet his state’s financial eligibility requirements, which would require him to "spend down" his remaining savings and potentially sell his home. Essentially, John would need to become impoverished to receive the healthcare services he desperately needs.
Faced with this choice, John is reluctant to sacrifice his last remaining assets, which he views as a safety net for future emergencies or potential long-term care. He must choose between retaining his home and savings or becoming destitute to access lifesaving healthcare.
Use any single (one) ethical principle from the group we have covered to support your position on each of these three issues. Hopefully it is the principle that you have decided is closest to your values and will use in making moral choices. If you are tempted to use different ethical principles for each of the three issues then you are an ethical egoist and you should use that principle on all three issues.
The ethical principles were presented in Module/Chapter 2 and include Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism. Refer to one or more of these as ethical principles when answering assignments. Do not use the Moral Principles of Health Care as Ethical Principles. The Moral Principles involved in Health Care include: Autonomy, Informed Consent, Truth Telling, Confidentiality, Privacy. These are NOT the basic ethical principles . USE one or more of these>>> Egoism, Utility, Natural Law, Categorical Imperative, Maxi-Min Principle, Existentialism, Feminism,Virtue Theory. The moral principles are popular and recognized in several ways in health care including in “codes” and in statements of “rights” because there are so many of the Basic Ethical Principles that support the moral judgment that these MORAL Principles of Health Care are a MORALLY GOOD THING.1. Should a national health care program pay for the custodial care of the elderly? Defend your position using an ETHICAL principles.
2.
Should family members be required by law to help pay the health care expenses of the other family members? Defend your position using the same ETHICAL principle as in #1.3.
Should people with incomes adequate to cover their health care expenses or to buy private health insurance be ineligible to participate in a national health insurance plan? Defend your position using the same ETHICAL principles as in #1.Use any single (one) ethical principle from the group we have covered to support your position on each of these three issues. Hopefully it is the principle that you have decided is closest to your values and will use in making moral choices. If you are tempted to use different ethical principles for each of the three issues then you are an ethical egoist and you should use that principle on all three issues.
_____________________
NOTE: A Case Study is due for this module at the same time the written assignment is due!
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email ,and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Written Assignment for MODULE: CULMINATING ACTIVITY: BONUS EXERCISE
This is a BONUS ASSIGNMENT and is OPTIONAL You do not need to do it. If you choose to do it you are required to do all FOUR (4) Parts.
PART I ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER: FINAL EXERCISE
1. Which of the issues covered this semester has been the most important and why so?
2. Which of the issues covered this semester has meant anything to you personally and why so?
3. Why are not more people aware of these troublesome questions, issues or problems?
4. Now that you have been educated as to these issues in Biomedical Ethics in what way will they have any consequence in your life?
5. Are you in a better position now to think about and handle these issues using ethical principles?
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PART II ETHICAL DIALECTICAL THINKING
Place your best example of using ethical dialectical thinking into a submission to me. Copy and paste your best work from this semester. No new work involved!!! Send it to me by email in a separate email from all other messages or submissions.
Title it as : ETHICAL DIALECTICAL THINKING
Using the DIALECTICAL PROCESS state what your ethical position would be and why. You are to take a position and defend it. You should use some ethical principle to decide what you think is the morally correct thing to do. You must state those principles and explain how they have been applied to the situation. You should indicate that you have rejected alternative positions to your own and the reasons why you have done so. In so doing you need to enunciate clearly the values and ethical principle(s) you are using to both reject the alternative positions and to defend or support your own.
VIDEO on Dialectical Process http://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipPecorino#play/uploads/21/zziTWJPbYyU
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PART III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course has nine objectives on a scale of 0 to 5 with 5 as the highest level , how well do you think that you have achieved these objectives?
a. vocabulary
b. concepts
c. theories
Score 0 to 5 a.____ b. ______ c._______ d.________ e.______ f._____ g. ____ h. ______ i.________
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PART IV ABOUT THE COURSE: FINAL EXERCISE
1: What did you like best about this course?
2: What specific things do you think could be improved in the structure or design of the course and learning activities?
3: How would you improve the quality and participation in course discussions/interactions?
4: What changes would you suggest be made to the pacing or sequence of the content and activities for this course? (e.g., were the due dates doable for you? Were the course materials sequenced well?)
5: What changes would you suggest be made to the quantity of work required for this course?
6: How could the course be improved in terms of my interaction, participation, and management of the course?
7: What other suggestions, comments, or recommendations would you have for the instructor?
8: What advice do you offer to students who would be just entering the class at the very start of the semester?
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker , then copy and paste your text-answers into the message window of an email and send it to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Each student must submit a case presentation on some incident or situation which relates to the topic and issues of this module. Such presentations consist of the following two(2) sections.
a.
Materials concerning the case located on the interneti.
Newspaper articlesii.
Magazine articlesiii.
Professional Journal articles , e.g., Philosophy, Law, Medicine Nursing, Public Health, etc..iv.
Other Internet itemsMINIMUM of four (4) items
b.
Viewpoints on the case by analysts, ethicists, commentators .MINIMUM of four (4) items which MUST include commentary and/or analysis by people who use ethical principles. These would NOT be articles in newspapers or magazines but items found in professional journals or at the websites of academic and professional organizations.
This is basically an assignment where you will use a number of search engines to gather materials from the internet.
GOOGLE, Northernlights, yahoo, etc...
You will copy and paste the addresses(url's) of those materials into a single file or document and then send it (submit it) to the instructor. You do NOT need to and should not make any personal comments on the case . So, you are NOT required to do any original thinking or critical thinking on the case. You will be gathering the materials and hopefully reading them and in so doing you will learn more about the issues involved and in gathering materials that involve ethical analysis you will learn more about that as well.
case studies: Directions
To submit them you do the same as for the written assignment. If you do not have WORD just put the material right into the message window that opens when you click on the "create an new email" icon.
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I suggest that you create your
assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor or by email with the text inside the email
message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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Research in Philosophy on the Internet.
Free tutorial on doing research in Philosophy on the Internet.
http://www.humbul.ac.uk/vts/philosophy/index.htm
As for the search engine, you would enter:
cloning + human + ethics
malpractice + stonybrook hospital
malpractice + ethics
kevorkian + ethics
mercy killing + ethics
confidentiality + law
confidentiality + ethics
CASE PRESENTATION FORMAT
Your NAME:
CASE TITLE:
DESCRIPTION of the case by student:
url’s for the Articles Describing case:
url’s for Articles with Ethical Position: Philosophers, Theologians, Lawyers, Medical Doctors
SUBMISSION of the CASE STUDY
The student will make the submission by attaching a file that has the text and the links to the internet sites of articles and other related items.
The BEST of these submissions will be placed on a website with the student’s name as author. These will be used by future students of this course.
If any student feels able and willing to create a POWERPOINT presentation for the case study including live links and illustrations, images, photos, etc... contact me for permission and instructions on what would be required and how to submit the material.
When you are ready you simply go to the submission section of this module and open the submission document and then click on the link for submitting an assignment and then attach your file with the case study including the url's.
File formats for submission must be limited to: WORD , html, webpage, dos
I shall make my comments on what you submit and assign a grade.
If you want to you can submit the assignment early and I'll comment on it and return it to you and you can proceed to work on it and submit the final work by the deadline.
For a SAMPLE CASE STUDY click here> SAMPLE
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You may want to print this part of this document out.
INSTRUCTIONS for PREPARING and SUBMITTING WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Each student is requested to submit the following assignments according to the schedule for the semester. Check on the COURSE CALENDAR for the due dates.
Assignments are intended to provide for an assessment of the learner's achievement and progress. Assignments and parts of assignments are intended to assess the learner's motivation, reading comprehension, critical thinking skills and appreciation of philosophy. Assignments may be revised. Assignments for modules 1 to 12 may be revised and resubmitted any number of times up to one month before the end of the semester. Assignments for modules 12 to 14 may be revised and resubmitted up to the date of the last scheduled class.Do not send attachments!!!
Composing your assignment
Normally, you should compose your response using your word processor or on paper. This will give you the opportunity to revise, proofread, and spell check. When you have completed your assignment document be sure to spell check it .
Make sure to read the directions for each assignment carefully for details, due dates, and any thing else that may be specific to the assignment.
Format For Submitting Written Assignments
Whether you are in an ONLINE CLASS or a traditional class or a hybrid class
The student is to submit the word processed text to the instructor ONLY by EMAIL ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu Do not send attachments!!! Copy and paste your text from the word processor directly into the message window of the email. In the subject line put:
SUBJECT: QCC PHIL 140 section first name , last name, assignment#
Evaluations
The evaluation for your assignment will appear directly in your document within the email when returned to you by email or returned directly to you by the instructor. Evaluations are private and can only be read by the student and professor.
OBSERVE THE DUE DATES!! Check on due dates:
All written assignments may be revised and resubmitted. At least one assignment must be submitted in draft form and then after receiving the instructor’s comments and suggestions, it is to be revised and resubmitted for formal assessment. Students may resubmit their revised assignments no more than three times before the final day of class.
In all cases the written work must show evidence of the author’s awareness of the materials made available in the online textbook and through the related Internet links found in the Online Textbook that is part of the course. Proper citations and accreditation are to be made evident in the body of the work. The learners are required to provide evidence of research and scholarship and to AVOID Plagiarism! Do not send attachments!!!
Criteria for evaluation of the written assignments is given under Course Information document titled ” How you will be evaluated.” Other students will not view student written assignments anywhere within the course. Students may send drafts of their work to their classmates and discuss them through the use of email. They may discuss the assignment itself within the course in the Student Café.
Check on due dates: Calendar
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