Homework 5

Choose a topic related to any area of

bioethics study and write a paper.

Identify the issue you are examining

and discuss any and all relevant

considerations to the individual

and society. APA format with a

minimum of 3 references included.

Possible Bioethics Topics

• Organ Transplantation: Which of several matched donors should receive a particular organ?

• Reproductive Technologies: In vitro fertilization, Surrogacy, Mifepristone (RU-486) and Misoprostol, pre-implantation embryo screening, cloning. Is there a significant difference

between cloning sheep for pharmaceutical production and cloning humans?

• Human Genome Project: Should employers be able to screen job applicants for specific genetic conditions? Who should have access to this information: family members, lawyers, insurance

agencies?

• Gene therapy: What are the potential ramifications of somatic and germ-line gene therapy?

• Fetal Tissue Transplantation: Does a fetus have rights? If so, what are they and who is responsible for representing the interests of the fetus?

• AIDS: issues involving disclosure, privacy, discrimination, insurance coverage.

• Euthanasia: What is the right to die? How does withdrawing or withholding treatment differ from physician assisted suicide?

• Health Care Allocation: How do we decide who gets access to health care, especially when expensive equipment and therapies are needed?

• Refusal of Services by Providers: There is a growing movement in this country by Pharmacists and Physicians to refuse services based on moral conscious positions. When does this jeopardize

and compromise their ability to serve their patients?

In addition, there are several case-based scenarios with discussions linked to each topic. Links to additional readings and related websites are included at the end of topic.

• Advance Care Planning

• Advance Directives

• Breaking Bad News

• Complementary Medicine

• Confidentiality

• Cross-Cultural Issues and Diverse Beliefs

• with an Emphasis in Pediatrics

• Do Not Resuscitate Orders

• during Anesthesia and Urgent Procedures

• End-of-Life Issues

• Ethics Committees and Consultation

• Futility

• HIV and AIDS

• Informed Consent

• in the Operating Room

• Interdisciplinary Team Issues

• Law and Medical Ethics

• Maternal / Fetal Conflict

• Mistakes

• Neonatal ICU Issues

• Parental Decision Making

• Physician Aid-in-Dying

• Physician-Patient Relationship

• Professionalism

• Public Health Ethics

• Research Ethics

• Resource Allocation

• Spirituality and Medicine

• Student Issues

• Termination of Life-Sustaining Treatment

• Truth-telling and Withholding Information

Further Bioethics Resources

• Bioethics Related Websites

• Readings by Topic

• Related Websites by Topic

• Professional Societies & Organizations

Credits and Acknowledgements