Health Care Ethics Flashcards
Exam 1 (34 cards)
What was the issue in Rev. Jackson vs. Cambridge Massachusetts?
Personal autonomy vs. public health
Describe Rev. Jackson vs. Cambridge Massachusetts.
Mandated vaccine for smallpox; Rev. Jackson did not want it; smallpox can kill people; court rules in favor of Cambridge; smallpox vaccine mandated.
Define personal autonomy.
Ability to make own decisions.
Define public health.
Branch of bioethics that examines moral obligations in public health policy.
Define the issue of individual freedom vs. public health.
When are you required to act in a certain way that restricts your freedom for public health?
What are the justifications for mandated vaccines?
Strong paternalism, utilitarian ethics, public health.
Define strong paternalism.
Making someone do something for their own safety/good.
Define utilitarian ethics.
Have to act in such a way that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number.
What is the paternalism argument against vaccination mandates?
The state should not override individual choice, even for the sake of public health, as doing so compromises autonomy and personal freedom.
What is the broad definition of bioethics?
- Medical professions, 2. Biomedical research, 3. Public health, 4. Environment.
What is the narrow definition of bioethics?
- Medical professions, 2. Biomedical research, 3. Public health.
What was the issue in the Henrietta Lacks case?
Lacked voluntary informed consent.
Describe the case of Henrietta Lacks.
She had cervical cancer and died; her cells were taken and they grew in a petri dish; HELA cells sold all over the world; family wasn’t aware 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; counts as a human being.
What is the utilitarian view on moral standing?
Not a person until sentient; includes humans and non-human animals.
Define inductive reasoning.
Scientific, only gives probability, relies on representative samples; probable ethical conclusions from specific cases or observations.
Define deductive reasoning.
General principles to specific situations/conclusions.
Provide an example of inductive reasoning.
Swans are white; it’s probable that the next swan you see will be white; but not all swans are white.
What is modus ponens?
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 premise is true.
Describe the Baby Theresa case.
Baby had anencephaly; consent to harvest her organs for transplant; courts ruled against request because she was not legally dead; baby dies before it could be appealed.
Define anencephaly.
Fetus brain does not fully form; in vegetative state; dies shortly after birth.
Define cultural relativism.
Culture is the source of morality (right from wrong).
