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main moral concerns about organ
donation
-live vs post-mortem donations: live: can consent, the dead cannot. should we keep a brain dead person from experiencing cardiac death to preserve desirable organs? -the identity of the patient: how should the wait list for organs be allocated? should there be a lottery? should there be a market? first come first serve? also should the identity of the patient matter? should an alcoholic receive a new liver, some may argue its a disease. should an elderly man get an organ vs a young man with a family and kids? TERM 2
organ donations (con't)
DEFINITION 2 -should organs be prohibited to sell? if so, will this create a black market? this is backed by utilitarians. they argue that the life saved is justified in breaking the rules. however, a deontologist adhere to rule based ethical principals and therefore would oppose a black market. in addition, it leads to exploitation of the donor, as they are coerced by money. also could lead to organ theft, in murdering others for their organs -the autonomy:l. because of the high demand, and the act of saving another life, they are often pressured into the situation. in addition, doctors do not often tell risks involved, and regret later TERM 3
active euthanasia
DEFINITION 3 active euthanasia- actively ending another's life, usually through lethal injection, taking direct action TERM 4
passive euthanasia
DEFINITION 4 when a patient dies due to the fact that there was no medical intervention by the doctor, not lengthening a patient's life, through either ending treatments or not resuscitating after cardiac rest *differences: killing vs letting die, the distinction is important as it creates a line of which physicians must not cross between letting nature take its course and actively ending a patients life TERM 5
voluntary euthanasia
DEFINITION 5 the patient is fully aware and takes his/her own life either directly or refusing treatment
involuntary euthanasia
against patient's wishes, contrary to their views TERM 7
non-voluntary euthanasia
DEFINITION 7 Non-voluntary euthanasia (sometimes known as mercy killing) is euthanasia conducted where the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable. TERM 8
arguments for euthanasia
DEFINITION 8
- the patient has the right to die, and doctor's cannot go against their patients' right -weak argument in that the patient cannot only be thinking of themselves as they are not the only ones affected. also their autonomy may be altered, as who's rational in wanting to die? 2) its the doctors duty to end suffering -sometimes the only way the doctor can benefit the patient is to end their life - backed by principal of beneficence TERM 9
arguments against euthanasia
DEFINITION 9
- doctor's duty to save lives and do no harm -backed by beneficence, Hippocratic oath -doctor should do whatever it takes to save a life 2) it's playing god -being able to take your own life, is not rational and is playing god. one should let nature take its course. -weak argument in that doesn't affect all groups of people - different cultures and different religions TERM 10
therapeutic engineering
DEFINITION 10 to cure a disease, or restore a patient to the best state of health. to pick the healthiest genes (treatment)
argument for reproductive cloning
-helping the infertile, specifically gay/lesbian couples -will allow them to have genetic offspring without having an unknown sperm/egg donor. -helps non traditional couples - weak: specified towards gays, has to be open to everyone it would create mental problems for the child having to meet certain standards of the parents TERM 17
arguments against reproductive cloning
DEFINITION 17 diminish the sense of individuality in an human clones may be seen as being devalued in society society likes uniqueness -medically risky as well, experimenting on children, leads to miscarriages, still births -strong argument for utilitarian in that the ends doesn't justify the means. TERM 18
geneotype
DEFINITION 18 The genotype is the genetic makeup of a cell, an organism, or an individual. internally coded, blueprint for building and maintaining a creature TERM 19
phenotype
DEFINITION 19 A phenotype is any observable characteristic or trait of an organism: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior (such as a bird's nest). these can be influenced by outside environmental factors. -expression of the geneotype TERM 20
autonomy
DEFINITION 20 demands that each rational, competent person be given the right to make medical decisions. must not be influenced by internal or external factors.
principal of
beneficence
doctors law to benefit the patient at all costs -one should "do good" make lives better and healthy TERM 22
principal of nonmaleficence
DEFINITION 22 above all do no harm TERM 23
illegal immigrants?
DEFINITION 23 -breaking a law constitute not having health care? -taxpayers feel the blunt, and limited resources: create a happy medium -yes they choose the worst job, but its our social responsibility to help others out as they are productive members of society TERM 24
direct to consumer advertising
DEFINITION 24 Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTC advertising) usually refers to the marketing of pharmaceutical products but can apply in other areas as well. directed towards patients, rather than health care professionals. unduly influence prescribing of unnecessary drugs. TERM 25
arguments for DTC
DEFINITION 25 without profits, drug companies couldn't make life-saving and life improving medications -also inform people of the diseases that are out there, raises public health awareness
