Case 21 Q#2

We didn't sufficiently discuss this question, p. 716

"When a patient who is in a great deal of pain, weak, and close to death makes a request that seems at odds with a decision he made when he may have been more fully autonomous, which request should guide those caring for him?"

Case 23 / Minors / A Lion in the House

Further comments on cases involving minors?  You might also be interested in a documentary called A Lion in the House filmed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center.  I'll get the video for you if you ask me:  there is a 1 hour version and a 4 hour version.  * * * FYI: this is also pretty hard to watch * * *

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lioninthehouse/02_index.htm

http://www.lioninthehouse.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6_EXFbSjbg

Dax's Case

* * * Please don't watch the video casually . . . it is graphic and can be quite disturbing.  At the very least read the descriptions first * * *

Info on the film
https://www.mededportal.org/publication/785
http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=10114
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dax_Cowart 

Link to the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsxaaMbZMtA

Euthanasia

Start with your readings. . . what do Rachels, Callahan, and Brock say about the morality of euthanasia?  What do we mean by euthanasia?  (It might not be what you think).

Ethical Theory

You'll need to know the three main theories (utilitarianism, Kant, virtue ethics) well enough to apply them starting this week and for the rest of the semester.  Watch the Sandel videos, read your text, and ask your questions here.  In class on 15 Jan we'll talk start to walk through the theories, but you'll need to get to work on them yourselves!

Case 4: Dentist & Pt. Autonomy

What say ye?  Be sure to answer the questions at the end of the case and respond to each other.

Case 3 Voluntary Sterilization

Reaction?  Course of action to recommend?  Answer the questions at the end of the case and respond to each other.

Health Care Reform

*new* 12Feb13  Reduction in Health Care costs
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/us/politics/sharp-slowdown-in-us-health-care-costs.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130212&_r=0

Electronic Medical Records Systems have not reduced costs http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/business/electronic-records-systems-have-not-reduced-health-costs-report-says.html?smid=pl-share

Health Care Elsewhere

More affordable testing for disease in developing countries
http://www.the-scientist.com//?articles.view/articleNo/33761/title/A-Dime-a-Dozen/

Current Events

Relevant film, tv, places, museums, websites?

Expectations?

What are your expectations about class? About discussing ethical problems in the biomedical realm?

Introductions

Who are you?  Why are you in this class?