Name:______
Legal & Ethical Issue and Debate Criteria
You are to take the following question, research, and be able to present to the class your findings and opinion. This is an ethical dilemma that has come about with modern health care advances. I encourage you to research the topic, talk to your parents about the question to get their opinion before you base yours. Even though there are no easy answers to these questions, most health care occupations go by the basic principles of these ethical codes.
- Put the saving of life and the promotion of health above all else.
- Make every effort to keep the patient as comfortable as possible and to preserve life whenever possible.
- Respect the patient’s choice to die peacefully and with dignity when all options have been discussed with the patient and family and/or predetermined by advance directives.
- Treat all patients equally, regardless of race, religion, social or economic status, sex, or nationality. Bias, prejudice, and discrimination have no place in health care.
- Provide care for all individuals to the best of your ability.
- Maintain a competent level of skill consistent with your particular occupation.
- Stay informed and up to date, and pursue continuing education as necessary.
Your dilemma is:______
You are to write at least 2 paragraphs-5 sentences each. 1st paragraph, state your opinion of the question and explain why. 2nd paragraph, find evidence that backs up your opinion.
DEBATE:
Your topic is ______
Research the topic (with personal opinions left out). Write down at least 10 facts to your topic. State your sources on back of sheet. Also, write your own personal opinion with at least 5 sentences after you list your findings. You will argue the topic with your opponent (and this will be included in the grade). Dig deep! Want this to be a fun and interesting debate and discussion. Remember: Ethics are a set of principles relating to what is morally right or wrong and provides a code of behavior. You may be totally against your topic given, but research & state your findings like you are on that side given. Then pour your heart into your own opinion at the end. We will share & discuss. Think & share!!
Is euthanasia (assisted death) justified in certain patients?
Should a patient be told that a health care provider has AIDS?
Should aborted fetuses be used for research?
When should life support be discontinued?
Do parents have a religious right to refuse a life-saving blood transfusion for their child?
Can a health care facility refuse to provide expensive treatment such as a bone marrow transplant if a patient cannot pay for the treatment?
Who decides whether a 75-year-old patient or a 56-year-old patient gets a single kidney available for transplant?
Should people be allowed to sell organs for use in transplants?
If a person can benefit from marijuana, should a physician be allowed to prescribe it as a treatment?
Should animals be used in medical research even if it results in the death of an animal?
Should genetic researchers be allowed to transplant specific genes to create the “perfect” human being?
Should human beings be cloned?
Should aborted embryos be used to obtain stem cells for research, especially since scientists may be able to use the stem cells to cure diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s?