Exam 1 Flashcards
What was the issue in the Rev. Jackson vs. Cambridge Massachusetts case?
The case involved a mandated vaccine for smallpox, which Rev. Jackson opposed despite the risks of smallpox. The court ruled in favor of Cambridge.
Define personal autonomy.
The ability to make one’s own decisions.
Define public health.
A branch of bioethics that examines moral obligations in public health policy.
What is the issue of individual freedom vs. public health?
It concerns when individuals are required to restrict their freedom for the sake of public health.
What are justifications for mandated vaccines?
Strong paternalism, utilitarian ethics, and public health.
Define strong paternalism.
Making someone do something for their own safety or good.
Define utilitarian ethics.
The principle of acting in a way that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number.
What is a paternalism argument against vaccination mandates?
The state should not override individual choice, even for public health, as it compromises autonomy and personal freedom.
What is the broad definition of bioethics?
It includes medical professions, biomedical research, public health, and environment.
What is the narrow definition of bioethics?
It includes medical professions, biomedical research, and public health.
What was the issue in the Henrietta Lacks case?
The case involved a lack of voluntary informed consent.
Describe the case of Henrietta Lacks.
She had cervical cancer and died; her cells were taken and grew in a petri dish; HELA cells were sold worldwide; her family was unaware until years later.
Define moral standing.
What kind of entity counts in ethics as a person.
What is natural law’s view on moral standing?
Life begins at conception; it counts as a human being.
What is the utilitarian view on moral standing?
An entity is not considered a person until sentient; this includes humans and non-human animals.
Define inductive reasoning.
Scientific reasoning that gives probability and relies on representative samples; it draws probable ethical conclusions from specific cases or observations.
Define deductive reasoning.
Reasoning that applies general principles to specific situations or conclusions.
Provide an example of inductive reasoning.
Swans are white; it is probable that the next swan you see will be white; but not all swans are white.
What is modus ponens?
A type of deductive reasoning: if A, then B; A is true, so B must be true.
Provide an example of deductive reasoning using modus ponens.
All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal, provided the premise is true.
Describe the Baby Theresa case.
The baby had anencephaly; there was consent to harvest her organs for transplant; the courts ruled against the request because she was not legally dead; the baby died before it could be appealed.
Define anencephaly.
A condition where a fetus’s brain does not fully form; the infant is in a vegetative state and dies shortly after birth.
Define cultural relativism.
The belief that culture is the source of morality (right from wrong).
What is the problem with cultural relativism?
Healthcare believes there are certain universal principles that must apply.
