Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Discrimination
Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment
Infamous clinical study conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health
Service to study the natural progression of untreated syphilis in rural African
American men who thought they were receiving free health care from the U.S.
government
The men were given free medical care, meals, and free burial insurance, for
participating in the study. They were never told they had syphilis, nor were they
ever treated for it
The men were told they were being treated for "bad blood", a local term for various
illnesses that include syphilis, anemia, and fatigue
The 40-year study was controversial for reasons related to ethical standards,
primarily because researchers knowingly failed to treat patients appropriately after
the 1940s validation of penicillin as an effective cure for the disease they were
studying
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study significantly damaged the trust of the black community
toward public health efforts in the United States
- damaged the trust between medical personnel and much of the African American
community
This study showcased the disconnection between human rights and scientific
research
Life Support
Terri Schiavo Case
Ethical Situations
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
For
Against
Legalising any form of euthanasia practice will lead to a slipper slope effect,
resulting eventually in non-voluntary or even involuntary euthanasia
- the acceptance of certain practices will invariably lead to the acceptance or
practice of concepts which are currently deemed unacceptable
- in order to prevent these undesirable practices from occurring, we need to resist
taking the first step
Medical Cases
In 2004, Tang Siu-pun, a quadriplegic person, wrote a letter to the Chief Executive
and legislators of HK to request for euthanasia but later changed his mind
- however, he still believes that the choice to live or die is one of the basic human
rights
Abortion
For (Pro-Choice)
If made illegal, back alley abortions would increase leading to an increased risk of
young women dying or becoming sterile
Arguably better for society to have babies aborted than to have them be brought up
poor and neglected
- affects the child and society when that child develops a higher attraction to crime
etc
It is not murder because it is performed before a fetus has developed into a human
person
Gives women the option to choose not to bring fetuses with profound abnormalities
to full term
Justified as a means of population control
Against (Pro-Life)
Medical Cases
Roe v. Wade
- Roe v. Wade decision held that a woman, with her doctor, could choose abortion in
earlier months of pregnancy without legal restriction, and with restrictions in later
months, based on the right to privacy
- made abortion legal in the United States, which was not legal at all in many states
and was limited by law in others
Baby Hatch
- Shenzhen and Guangzhou welfare authorities will next year start a baby box
program for parents to drop off unwanted newborn babies Baby Safety Island
facility will be placed close to hospitals and welfare centers
- in response to about 100,000 babies being abandoned in mainland
- since Shenzhen has many migrant workers and many Guangdong people prefer
sons rather than daughters, this program could encourage parents to abandon baby
girls in safer and humane way, claiming it could improve survival rate of abandoned
babies
- would not solve root of problem and people should be taught to value life
Against
Philosophy
Utilitarianism
Kant
Natural Law
The end never justifies the means so no amount of evil suffering can justify an evil
act
Does not support active euthanasia
Situation Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Aristotle believed we should aim for eudaimonia (happiness resulting from a life in
perfect balance)
Terminally ill patients should be courageous and accept their fortune
- take their own life, especially when resources are scarce as euthanasia will make a
huge difference on the well-being of society as a whole
Aristotle was concerned with the good for society above the individual