Bioethics: bridge to the future
In: Prentice-Hall biological science series
In: Prentice-Hall biological science series
In: Springer eBook Collection
Bioethics as a Discipline -- I: Abortion -- Roe v. Wade -- Abortion and the Law -- A Defense of Abortion -- The Morality of Abortion -- Abortion: The Avoidable Moral Dilemma -- II: Mental Illness -- Psychiatric Intervention -- The Myth of Mental Illness -- Mental Health and Mental Illness: Some Problems of Definition and Concept Formation -- Involuntary Mental Hospitalization: A Crime Against Humanity -- Psychiatrists and the Adversary Process -- III: Human Experimentation -- Ethics and Clinical Research -- Scientific Investigations on Man: A Medical Research Worker's Viewpoint -- Philosophical Reflections on Experimenting with Human Subjects -- The Moral Justification for Research Using Human Subjects -- Realities of Patient Consent to Medical Research -- NIH Guidelines on Research with Human Subjects -- IV: Human Genetics -- Ethical Issues Arising from the Possible Uses of Genetic Knowledge -- Implications of Prenatal Diagnosis for the Human Right to Life -- Implications of Prenatal Diagnosis for the Quality of, and Right to, Human Life: Society as a Standard -- Practical and Ethical Problems in Human Genetics -- Reproductive Rights and Genetic Disease -- On Justifications for Coercive Genetic Control -- Legal Rights and Moral Rights -- Privacy and Genetic Information -- V: Dying -- The Problems in Prolongation of Life -- The Allocation of Exotic Medical Lifesaving Therapy -- Life and the Right to Life -- Dying -- A Statutory Definition of the Standards for Determining Human Death: An Appraisal and a Proposal -- Death: Process or Event?.
In: Res publica: politiek-wetenschappelijk tijdschrift van de Lage Landen ; driemaandelijks tijdschrift, Band 19, Heft 2, S. 305-322
ISSN: 0486-4700
The problem of abortion as a political issue is discussed by focusing on two reports of the Belgian National Commission for Ethical Problems (fall 1976). Both the `translation' of the political problem into a question to be handled by an `apolitical' commission on the level of scientific expertise, & the delivery of two dissenting reports are studied as a typical stage of the development of the political decision-making process in this matter, & compared with similar evolution in neighboring countries (West Germany, France, & the Netherlands). From political theory perspectives, the main problem centers on the question: How does a parliamentary democracy solve such a deep-seated conflict concerning the `basic values' of a social ethical order? Answer elements can be gathered from a comparative analysis of the different positions & arguments in the two reports of the Ethical Commission. In opposition to the majority report (13 members in favor) the minority report (12 members opposed) claims that the legalization of abortion would bring about a drop of 10-15% in the birth rate. The minority argues that a truly ethical choice for abortion is difficult to make, since: (1) the choice must be made as soon as possible,.ie, with little time for reflection, & (2) its importance is belittled in order to avoid guilt feelings in the mother. Some of the most important differences between the two groups concern the relationship of ethics to law. The majority argues that a social concensus must be built on the least possible number of ethical presuppositions, while the minority argues that social cohesion is impossible under those conditions. A difference in tone between the two reports is also noted: the minority argument is much more emotional. This shows that the dispute is political, not scientific, & that it has important consequences for the evolution of the social pattern of values. Modified HA.
This article considers the scientific, legal, ethical, and social issues of the Brave New World of Biotechnology as they existed in 1976 and as they exist — interestingly — today. Central to these issues (e.g., in vitro fertilization, genetic planning) presented in historical context, is consideration of the extent to which freedom of scientific investigation should be allowed and even encouraged by the government. In order to shape normative standards of conduct from which ethical constructs can be developed and policy developed, scientific experimentation must be promoted and designed to safeguard the common good — this, by enhancing opportunities for more healthful living, strengthening the gene pool by combating disease, minimizing human suffering and containing health care expenditures. Indeed, this course of behaviour should be recognized as not only in the Nation's best interests, but a valid and efficacious ethic to embrace. It is only by recognition of the freedom of scientific inquiry that a common language of scientific humanism can ever be fostered.
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Although written forty-four years ago, this article provides a foundational analysis of the then-nascent beginnings of the legalization of artificial insemination from the judicial posture taken by the state of California to the legislative stance of Oklahoma. Analyzing the consequences of artificial insemination by a donor (A.I.D.) and by a woman's husband (A.I.H.), the consequences of these procedures on family law — and especially illegitimacy — inheritance, and adultery, are studied and evaluated. In order to provide some degree of stability and predictability to this obviously contentious area within Law, Science, and Medicine, this article urges measured experimentation in genetics — with a goal as such to improve the overall quality of health in the population and, thus, minimize suffering and promote the public welfare by lowering the lifetime costs of health maintenance.
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Our conclusion from all of this work and study is that not just a small part, but that most of the suffering undergone by laboratory animals in "unnecessary" under the terms of the pain provisions of the Rogers-Javits bill. Granted, it will take some time and effort to bring about the necessary interpretations of these provisions. The Act, when passed, offers us the medium through which to obtain such interpretations. This unnecessary suffering results mostly from the indifference, and from the inertia and the lack of proper scientific training and technical knowledge, of many of those conducting laboratory animal experiments and tests. If only this unnecessary suffering were eliminated, I sincerely believe that 95 percent of all the suffering of laboratory animals would be eliminated. Who would want to wait another hundred years to attain 100 percent elimination, when we can get 95 percent soon?
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This is a single report that includes multiple parts. Each part equates to a file. Files include parts I-IX. ; Part I of this report contains the official mandate. The nature and purpose of research involving the fetus are summarized in Part II. The alternative means for achieving the purposes of fetal research are summarized in Part III. Parts IV and V discuss the legal and ethical issues. Part VI contains views expressed at public hearings. Part VII explores fetal viability and death. Part VIII covers the report deliberations and conclusions. Part IX details the recommendations. ; Supported by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW).
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This is a single report that includes multiple parts. Each part equates to a file. Files include parts I-IX. ; Part I of this report contains the official mandate. The nature and purpose of research involving the fetus are summarized in Part II. The alternative means for achieving the purposes of fetal research are summarized in Part III. Parts IV and V discuss the legal and ethical issues. Part VI contains views expressed at public hearings. Part VII explores fetal viability and death. Part VIII covers the report deliberations and conclusions. Part IX details the recommendations. ; Supported by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW).
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This is a single report that includes multiple parts. Each part equates to a file. Files include parts I-IX. ; Part I of this report contains the official mandate. The nature and purpose of research involving the fetus are summarized in Part II. The alternative means for achieving the purposes of fetal research are summarized in Part III. Parts IV and V discuss the legal and ethical issues. Part VI contains views expressed at public hearings. Part VII explores fetal viability and death. Part VIII covers the report deliberations and conclusions. Part IX details the recommendations. ; Supported by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW).
BASE
This is a single file report that includes multiple parts. Each part equates to a file. Files include parts I-IX. ; Part I of this report contains the official mandate. The nature and purpose of research involving the fetus are summarized in Part II. The alternative means for achieving the purposes of fetal research are summarized in Part III. Parts IV and V discuss the legal and ethical issues. Part VI contains views expressed at public hearings. Part VII explores fetal viability and death. Part VIII covers the report deliberations and conclusions. Part IX details the recommendations. ; Supported by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW).
BASE
This is a single report that includes multiple parts. Each part equates to a file. Files include parts I-IX. ; Part I of this report contains the official mandate. The nature and purpose of research involving the fetus are summarized in Part II. The alternative means for achieving the purposes of fetal research are summarized in Part III. Parts IV and V discuss the legal and ethical issues. Part VI contains views expressed at public hearings. Part VII explores fetal viability and death. Part VIII covers the report deliberations and conclusions. Part IX details the recommendations. ; Supported by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW).
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