Articles

Question 1

Ehmannn et al.
“Operational Recommendations for Scarce Resource Allocation in a Public Health Crisis”

Answer 1

This article focuses on protocol on how to allocate resources during a global public health crisis. It emphasizes themes of utilitarianism and equality by maximizing benefits of resources and making sure patients do not face discrimination of race, sex, religion, ability to pay and more. One areas of emphasis was the allocation of ventilators in which they consider likelihood of short and long term survival among other factors such as pregnancy. They also talk about vaccines and who has priority to get them 1st (healthcare workers)

Question 2

Bernstein et all.
“An Ethics Framework for the COVID-19 Reopening Process”

Answer 2

This article provides a framework on how to ethically evaluate the reopening process following the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an emphasis on the moral considerations of well-being, liberty, justice, and legitimacy. The article highlights how to balance concern for public health and safety with the concern of impacts on things such as the economy, education, and other social impacts. There needs to be a balance between safety and national prosperity

Question 3

Summary From Report of the Committee on Human Genome Editing

Answer 3

This article talks about the ethical usage of human genome editing from research to treatment and prevention of disease. They provide guidelines or recommendations of how to proceed with the future capabilities of this tool. They permit usage for general research, somatic gene editing in the context of disease or disability, germline gene editing only of genetically inherited diseases, and never permits unsafe for germline “enhancement”

Question 4

Lo and Parham “Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research”

Answer 4

This article outlines the usefulness of human stem cell research and its usages, such as treatment for diabetes and Parkinsons Disease. There are two general categories regarding human stem cell research : somatic adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. There is not much controversy around adult stem cell usage since it does not harm the donor, however they are not as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells hold more promise in research, but their collection involves the destruction o fan embryo which raises ethical issues of moral status and more

Question 5

Catholic Health Association
“caring for people at the end of life”

Answer 5

This reading emphasizes how to care for someone at the end of their life and highlights an ethic of reasonable or ordinary care opposed to extraordinary means. There is an emphasis on the value of life and how it should be protected from start to natural end. When death is inevitable it is important to acknowledge that and not be wasteful and stop treatment because it is not helping anymore. At that point comfort should be prioritized so that the patient does not suffer at the end of their life.

Question 6

American Nursing Association
“ANA position statement on medical aid in dying”

Answer 6

This statement outlines the role of nurses in the conservation of medical aid in dying. They must know the distinction between euthanasia and medical aid in dying. They are to remain objective when discussing end of life care options but have the right to conscientiously object being involved. Nurses should continue to provide care and comfort to patients throughout the process and protect the confidentiality of all parties involved.