BIOETHICS SEMINAR, Fall 2006

WHITMAN COLLEGE, BIOL 401
PROFESSOR PAUL H. YANCEY


This is a 1-credit seminar, taught every 2-3 years, on the major biological and medical ethical issues facing society. Weekly readings will be assigned and discussed in sessions largely run by students.

GRADING: 50% on attendance and participation (in class and on email poll questions); 50% on leading one discussion. TEXT: Bioethics and the New Embryology (Gilbert et al., 2005)

CONTENTS of BIOETHICS 401 Website:

Syllabus Table (below)

SYLLABUS TABLE
DATE TOPIC READING** Discussion Leaders   WEB LINKS
Sept. 1 Introduction: Ethical Principles Handout Yancey   ----
Sept. 8 Scientific and Medical Ethics; Responsibility Handout Yancey    
Sept. 15 Human Experimentation: Informed Consent, etc. Handout Gotchy    
Sept. 22 Reproduction I: ART Chaps. 2-3-4 Hagan, Williamson    
Sept. 29 --No class-- --- ---
   
Oct. 6 Reproduction II: Cloning

Chaps. 6-7-8

McDermet,    
Oct. 11 Stem Cells Chaps. 9-10 Schurtz,    
Oct. 20 Health Care Resources I: Rationing, HMOs, Insurance Handout

Gidvani, Roston

   
Oct. 27 Health Care Resources II: Organ Transplants Handout Sanders, Warner   www.unos.org
Nov. 3 Death and Dying: Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide Handout Krupp, Hennings   Assigned: Right to Die
Option: Task Force on Euthanasia
Nov. 10 Genetic Screening; Gene Patenting Handout Bennett, Edelman    
Nov. 17 Genetic Engineering: Human Chaps. 11-12 Mills,    
Nov. 31 Animal Experimentation, Non-human Genetic Engineering Chap. 15 Brandt, Andrell    
Dec. 8 Environmental Ethics Handout Jepson    


RECENT NEWS -- undergoing revision for 2006
Note some of these are NYTimes articles, which may require an account. See Prof. Yancey.

Euthanasia; Scientific/Research ethics; Health Resources; Organ Transplants

Human Experiments; Drugs; Reproductive Technology and Cloning; Stem Cells Genetic Engineering
INTERNET LINKS

Sites with general information and news on bioethics:

Private companies; Philanthropies/Charities; Organ network Sites with broad information on specific issues

*POLL QUESTIONS
ISSUE 1. Can the issues of stem cell research be separated from the question of whether or not a fetus is human?For example, even if you are opposed to abortion at any stage, could you condone fetal/embryonic stem-cell research because fetal/embryonic cells are going to be available anyway?  
ISSUE 2A: Should research subjects in poor countries (e.g., for HIV studies) be provided the best possible medical care by (expensive) Western standards, not by local standards?

Vote YES; NO; or DEPENDS (please comment)

 

ISSUE 2B: Should research data obtained unethically by the Nazi medical experiments (including tortuous treatment) be used to help people and/or science today?

Vote YES; NO; or DEPENDS (please comment)


 


Comments:

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ISSUE: In the attempt by infertile couples to produce a child (Vote for one) :
  • A. Only parental autonomy should matter (i.e., anything with informed consent is allowed)
  • B. Only parental autonomy should matter (with informed consent), EXCEPT cloning (which violates a critical natural boundary)
  • C. Parental autonomy should matter, but should be limited in cases where harm to potential offspring are significantly higher than with natural reproduction.
  • D. Most IVF and related techniques should be banned, as they cheapen society's regard for individuals.
  • E. Other (please comment)
 
Comments:
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    ISSUE : Several Questions.
    6a) Should the courts have convicted Dr. Eugene Turner of murder in the case of the infant he "killed" by suffocation (recall that the baby was apparently brain-dead, but was occasionally gasping for breath fruitlessly)?
    6b) Should the Michigan court have convicted Dr. Jack Kevorkian for euthanasia?
    6c) Do you support state or national laws that would i) ban all assisted death; ii) allow physician-assisted suicide (PAS) as in Oregon; or iii) all both PAS and active euthanasia as in Holland?
       
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    ISSUE : On the issue of Genetically Modified Products, do you favor:
    A: Required labeling of GM contents or origins
    B: No labeling requirement
    C: Unsure

     

    ISSUE . Regarding health care in the US, do you favor:
    A: A National Health system similar to that in other western countries;
    B: All health care in private managed systems, but available to all;
    C: Keeping the current system;
    D: All health care based purely on fee for service

     

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    ISSUE. Regarding marijuana use, do you favor:
    A: No legalization of marijuana;
    B. Legalization for restricted medical purposes only; or
    C. Full legalization to an extent similar to alcohol or tobacco

     

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