Post on 28-Dec-2015
BIOETHICS
Definition and history
Our bioethics projects end in… An analytical ESSAY.
How does the field of bioethics shape the world today? Make an analytical assessment 4 – 5 pages Specific evidence from presentations Reference history and general field of bioethics Bibliography only for sources outside of class Due at the end of presentations: TBA
“Bioethics”
Coined in 1970 by Van Rensselear Potter Atomic bomb & human genome
developments: social implications? Became a narrower field: ethical analysis
of moral questions posted to medicine by biomedical advances
Expectations of Moral Physicians What are the general duties and
decorum expected of moral physicians? Competent Dedicated Kept confidences Cared for sick poor without charge
Pre-1960s
Paternalistic medicine Utilitarian thinking Not focused on individual/human rights World of medicine sacrosanct
Cultural and political authority
Mid-20th century changes
Science brings more effective treatments More people have access to physicians Physicians more competent, educated
Earned more $$ Rights-based movements
Civil Rights Movement Second Wave Feminism War protests
Challenge old ideas about medical morality & patient rights
Advances: life sustaining technology Artificial ventilators 1950s
Pope Pius XII weighs in 1957 Artificial kidney 1961
“God Committee” social utility vs lottery
Chronic dialysis Finances, quality of life questions, public
policy Federal legislation: financial support for end
of life treatment
1970s, national attention:
1973: information surfaces about immature newborn infants with dim prognosis allowed to die
1973: 21 year old in coma with respirator whose parents want to disconnect; hospital refused—went to NJ Supreme Court
Karen Ann Quinlan
Other Bioethics topics arise
1950s: human medical research topic explodes (Rebecca)
1956: double helix structure of DNA – “secret” of life—modification of human genes? Cloning? (designer babies: Sophia)
1970s: genetic testing (Jackie)
And…
1989: program to map the human genome initiated
1997: Dolly, the cloned lamb born
By 2000: stem cell isolated from human embryos (Rachel) Bush, 2001: Bioethics
Advisory Council to advise on cloning and stem cell research
More bioethics topics!
1968: first heart transplant Ethical issues?
Human reproduction Artificial insemination: 1884 Chemical contraceptives: 1950s In vitro fertilization: 1979
Then other manipulations of embryo
Bioethics field
By end of the 1980s, developed field of bioethics: centers, curricula in universities, journals, courses, conferences, ethics committees in hospitals, etc.
Now: political role of bioethics? Harrison & Ben: AIDS Lucas & Aaron: Alternative Health Chloe: Conscience Clause Skyler: Biochemical Warfare Zur & Elliana: Healthcare Ethics
Current debate: bioethics
System of ethics based on the four moral principles of: 1. Autonomy 2. Beneficence 3. Nonmalficence 4. Justice
Formalized by the Belmont Report in 1979, cause of origin from Nuremberg Trials
Case-based reasoning Applies theoretical rules to
specific instances, but then bends rules if case justifies it Utilitarianism form of casuistry
Often sees how closely a case matches a paradigm, then applies rules based on match
Dates from Aristotle, revival in 1988 with new book; criticized for abuses in Middle Ages
Principlism Casuistry
Sources
http://www.bucklin.org/bioethics-history.htm
http://historyweb.ucsd.edu/pages/undergraduate/Fall%202008%20pdfs/HISC116FA2008.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuistry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principlism Bioethics: an introduction to the
history, methods, and practice By Nancy Ann Silbergeld Jecker, Albert R.
Jonsen, Robert A. Pearlman