Debate Over Bioethics and Human Dignity

858 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Necessity of human rights in health care

Bioethics by definition is controversial It addresses a broad scope of human inquiry, ranging from debates over the boundaries of life to the right to refuse medical care. This discipline is concerned with the ethical questions that can arise in the relationships among medicine, politics, law, and personal philosophies. It also includes the study of the more commonplace questions which arise in primary care such as the ability to pay, and whether the injured or sick person should be treated. This paper will provide my viewpoints towards ‘Bioethics and Human Dignity’ and by using specific examples from the essay by Dr. Leon Kass and other sources this paper will also explain the distinction between basic and full human dignity.
In his essay “Defending Human Dignity”, Doctor Leon R. Kass former chairman of the President's Council on Bioethics from 2001 to 2005 (Philbrick, 2010), addresses two controversial topics one being ethics in the use of humans as research subjects and the other being the equal treatment of patients regardless of age, race, gender, condition of the person, stage of the illness or the patients ability to pay. Kass’s first concern in clinical medicine is that today’s physician will not treat all patients equally regardless of status and that this has always been a sacred duty that has dated back hundreds of years. In an article posted to the PBS Nova website in March 2001, Peter Tyson wrote:
“The Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest binding documents in history” This oath holds physicians to a moral and ethical duty to put the patient’s quality of life above all else. “I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife...

... middle of paper ...

...what, but so far the answer to the why has been left to lobbyists and politicians. I think we need to step back and ask these same questions in terms of basic human dignity. Start the question with “What If.”

Bibliography
Kass, Leon R. "PCBE: Human Dignity and Bioethics:Essays Commissioned by the President's Council on Bioethics (Chapter 12: Defending Human Dignity)." PCBE: Human Dignity and Bioethics:Essays Commissioned by the President's Council on Bioethics (Chapter 12: Defending Human Dignity). The President's Council on Bioethics, March 2008. Web. 21 March 2014.
Philbrick, Samuel. "The Embryo Project Encyclopedia." Leon Richard Kass. Arizona State University. School of Life Sciences. Center for Biology and Society. Embryo Project Encyclopedia., 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Tyson, Peter. "The Hippocratic Oath Today." PBS. 27 March 2001. Web. 19 March 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Henrietta Lacks Ethics

    2327 Words  | 5 Pages

    Johns Hopkins Hospital would use people in their “public wards”, who were predominately of low socioeconomic status, as research material without any permission or knowledge of their participation (Skloot, 2010, p. 30). The main ethical principles that apply in the this scenario of not receiving consent to have personal information and even bodily material used for research are: Integrity (1.04), Rights and Prerogatives of Clients (2.05), Characteristics of Responsible Research (9.02), and Informed Consent (9.03). This dilemma was not handled correctly because doctors during that time were interested in studying cancer cells and believed that it was acceptable to take people’s cells as a form of payment because they were receiving free medical treatment. Henrietta, in particular, was never asked or even told that her healthy and tumorous cells were being extracted during the day of her first cancer treatment (p. 33). Those at stake during this particular issue are the patients in the public wards, including Henrietta, the doctors Richard TeLinde, George Gey, and Howard Jones, the Lacks family, and many other families who do not know their loved ones are being used for science. Although laws were not set in place at the time, the doctors should have been presenting patients with consent forms and fully disclosing all the information pertaining to how they

    Read More

  • Pro-Life: The Opposite of Pro-Death

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a junior in high school, I am considering medicine as a possible career choice. Through my research in this field, I discovered the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath is the most famous of the Hippocratic documents; it has served as an ideal for the professional attitude and ethics of physicians to the present; the historical origin of the oath is so obscure that even the date of its composition is placed from the 6th to the 1st century B.C.

    Read More

  • A Bioethical Decision

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nathaniel Wu, a talented and dedicated microbiologist, should be hired for the Intercontinental Pharmaceutical Company (ICP) under certain conditions. Wu, who was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, was seen as the ideal candidate for the employment position the IPC was offering until this inconvenience was unveiled. To offer Wu employment unconditionally is extremely risky for the medical costs and equipment damages he can bring to the company can be devastating; to deny Wu employment entirely is a violation of bioethics and discrimination, for he was already offered the job position conditionally before taking medical tests. By offering Wu employment under certain conditions, Wu can be part of the IPC and have him employment terminated as soon as his condition begins interfering with his work quality.

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Human Dignity Must Figure In Decisions To Prolong Life

    1834 Words  | 4 Pages

    Tom Harpur, in his 1990 article in the Toronto Star - "Human dignity must figure in decisions to prolong life" - presents numerous arguments in support of his thesis that the use of advanced medical technology to prolong life is often immoral and unethical, and does not take into consideration the wishes of the patient or their human dignity. However, it must be noted that the opening one-third of the article is devoted to a particular "human interest" story which the author uses to illustrate his broader argument, as well as to arouse pity among readers to support his view that human life should not always be prolonged by medical technology. This opening section suggests that a critical analysis of Harpur 's arguments may find widespread use of logical fallacies in support of the article 's thesis. In this essay I will argue that, given how greatly

    Read More

  • Physician Assisted Suicide Persuasive Speech

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Intro: The Hippocratic Oath clearly states, “I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked [for it], nor will I suggest the way to such counsel.”Steven Miles, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School published an article, “The Hippocratic Oath,” expressing that doctors must uphold the standards of the Hippocratic Oath to modern relevance. Euthanasia continues as a controversial policy issue. Providing resourceful information allows us to recognize what is in the best interest for patients and doctors alike. Today, I will convince you that physician-assisted suicide should be illegal. The United States must implement a policy stopping the usage of euthanasia for the terminally ill. I will provide knowledge of

    Read More

  • Bioethics Before Birth By Tooley And Marquis

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    The word abortion brings out a variety of attitudes & perceptions amongst people. The topic is surrounded by emotion and empathy, which often creates a divide, those who view abortion as permissible and those who do not. In “Bioethics Before Birth," Tooley and Marquis provide their arguments on abortion. Their arguments share some similarities but their viewpoints and delivery set them apart. I will evaluate and compare the differences and similarities in their arguments.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia And Assisted Suicide

    2211 Words  | 5 Pages

    As the years go by our society advances in all fields. As a result, we as a society have come to question many elements in our lives by comparing them to longstanding morals and traditions. The medical fields has always, and probably will always, raise many controversial issues. The latest concerns whether euthanasia or physician assisted suicide should be universally legalized in the U.S. Those opposed see that there are other alternatives other than taking a person’s own life, with the help of a doctor. Not only are they essential to incorporate into the options for people experiencing terminal illnesses, legalization would allow an overall upgrade in combating abuse with this treatment, at the same time, people are thoroughly against the

    Read More

  • Comparing The Hippocratic Oath And Principles Of Medical Ethics Of The American Medical Association

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hippocratic Oath was earliest code of ethics to govern conduct in medicine. Unlike many modern professional codes, its intent was to describe a moral vision for members of the medical community rather than to protect members of the community from incurring on the law. This oath and AMA medical ethics are similar as the primary goal of both codes of ethics is to give full benefit to the

    Read More

  • Philosophy and the Morality of Abortion

    1931 Words  | 4 Pages

    Michael, T. (1998) 'Personhood' in Kuhse & Singer (eds.) A Companion to Bioethics. New Jersey:

    Read More

  • Transhumanism and Elective Amputation

    2287 Words  | 5 Pages

    Wilson, James. “Transhumanism and Moral Equality." Bioethics 21.8 (Oct. 2007): 419-425. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. 31 Oct. 2008 .

    Read More

  • The Four Principles in Biomedical Ethics

    1549 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this diverse society we are confronted everyday with so many ethical choices in provision of healthcare for individuals. It becomes very difficult to find a guideline that would include a border perspective which might include individual’s beliefs and preference across the world. Due to these controversies, the four principles in biomedical ethic which includes autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice help us understand and explain which medical practices are ethical and acceptable. These principles are not only used to protect the rights of a patient but also the physician from being violated.

    Read More

  • Racial Discrimination and Health Care

    1821 Words  | 4 Pages

    Steinbock, Bonnie, Alex J. London, and John D. Arras. "’Rights- Based’ Approaches." Ethical Issues in Modern Medicine. Contemporary Readings in Bioethics. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013. 23. Print.

    Read More

  • Ethics In Healthcare Administration Essay

    1938 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethics is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a set of moral principles.” This leaves a very wide open interpretation. So for the sake of this paper, ethics is integrity- the willingness to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. The definition of bioethics is similar just implies that it is ethics in regards to medicine and medical research. So combined, we will discuss why it is so important for healthcare administrators to show integrity and be familiar with crucial laws in regards to the medical environment. Bio-ethical situations in the medical field could be something as simple as not offering proper patient care based on ethnicity or because of the social status of a patient. It could be breaking patient confidentiality laws or not treating staff with respect in front of

    Read More

  • Bioethics

    1906 Words  | 4 Pages

    The case of Dr. Lowell and Mrs. Jackson revolves around a conflict between the doctor, who advocates the implementation of a particular treatment and the patient who disagrees with the doctor and wishes to do things her own way. The doctor feels that the suggested course of action is disastrous and threatens to have the patient declared mentally incompetent. The question now is whether or not the doctor is morally justified in taking action against the patient in order to implement the course of treatment she feels would be most effective. Is this an infringement on the autonomy of the patient or is the doctor morally obliged to do everything that he/she can possible do in order to restore the patient’s health even if that includes to go so far as to take this decision out of the hands of the patient?

    Read More

  • Healthcare Is A Right Or A Privilege?

    977 Words  | 2 Pages

    As we have clearly seen, medicine for profit is not solving the problems of the healthcare system and many people are going bankrupt, dying, and choosing suicide over costly bills. Maybe we should learn from all of these situations and numbers and see that, like the UK did, we should be looking at ways to expand our basic human rights to include healthcare. The question at hand was is healthcare a right or a privilege, reviewing all facts, and data given you will see that Health Care in the United States is a privilege. It seems very vile to have resources, and services to deny a person who has a curable illness or disease, because they don’t have proper health care. However, this is the society we live in where liberty and justice for all comes before healthcare for all.

    Read More

More about Debate Over Bioethics and Human Dignity

Open Document