Hi, My name is Gustavo Miguel, I am a Stanford undergraduate. I am currently researching the possibility of allowing patients to still make a difference in their final, dying days. For example, a bright, 26 year old who is told that his life will end in 3 months. His life is taken away from him, but there is a great chance that he will still want to make a big difference in this world. He has the right to give meaning and purpose to his life. He can do this by either donating his organs before death or by allowing his brain to be thoroughly examined , which would allow scientists and doctors to see how the brain "thinks." These are only two of the many ways that he could greatly impact both the medical field and mankind.
I would appreciate any assistance in my research, such as useful books or websites. I would also appreciate your opinion on this matter. Since I am currently doing extensive research, a prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Gustavo Miguel
Dear Dr. Mo, My name is Heather Thomas and I am a senior at Deuel High School in Clear Lake, In our advanced biology class, our teacher, Mrs. Lundberg, had us research bioethical topics. We each chose a bioethical topic and made a Filamentality Web Quest on our topics. I chose to research bioengineered foods. I found out about some of the processes of creating bioengineered foods. I also found out the different viewpoints for and against these foods. The bioengineering of foods can get rid of some traits such as making foods stay fresh longer and gitting rid of bugs. Some people may say that bioengineered foods are against their religion and the way God made things and some say that they are not safe. I feel that bioengineered foods are safe. I also feel that bioengineered foods could help feed the world's hungry by making foods last longer and by making the supply larger. Thank you for your time and for letting me voice my opinion. If you have an questions you can email me at heatherrthomas@hotmail.com. Thanks again!
Sincerely, Heather Thomas
My name is Katie Uckert and I am a senior at Deuel High School. I am also a student of Mrs. Lundberg's Advanced Biology class and we have been discussing bioethical topics. I recently posted a WebQuest about Life Support. This can be a very touchy subject when trying to decide who can pull the plug and when it should be done. I feel that the parents should have the final decision if their child is the one in critical conditions. In other cases, such as a parent being on life support, the children should have the final say. People have many different opinions and I feel the loved ones should have the final say when it comes to this sort of topic. It's important for the doctor to also get involved and perhaps help them to come to a conclusion, but the final decision of taking someone off life support should come directly from the loved ones. Thank you for letting me share my opinion on the matter of Life Support.
Sincerely, Katie Uckert
Why are extremely long work shifts required of medical residents and is this educational system ethical if it places patients lives at risk?
Dear Doctor Mo, I feel that doctors should look into the experiments that the Nazi's performed on the Jews. To see if there is any valuable information that could be used to help save lives in today's changing world. I feel if there is helpful information, it should be utilized for the better; especially with all of the new problems that arise everday. If you have any questions for me, please email me at rlundber@itctel.com
Sincerely, Josh Bekaert
Dear Dr. Mo,
My name is Shelly Skogstad and I am from Deuel High School. For my Advanced Biology class, I did research on comatose pregnancies. While researching this topic, I found various articles. I can understand both sides of the many cases of comatose pregnancies. I believe that when a woman is pregnant and is comatose, the state should provide assistance to the families and make the decision about what to do. In those cases where the woman becomes pregnant after she is comatose, the state should find the perpetrator and he should go to court and jail for rape. In the cases where the mother becomes comatose after she already pregnant, the decision should be left up to the family. In either of the cases, the state should investigate the situation and if need be the court should make a final decision.
If you would like to respond to me, please email me at: rlundber@itctel.com
Sincerely, Shelly Skogstad
I have a report on my biology class and I would like for you to put my question so I can see what people think.
In the future should society choose to "purify" the gene pool through genetic screening and "test tube" babies?
How could we safely disrupt viral reproduction? Would it be possible to password protect the powerhouses of a cell against genetic interference by randomly mutating viruses? I know the differences between the genetic formats used by circular mtDNA and normal DNA are not compatible. What would happen if we generated an artificial life form that installed new mitochondria programmed to replace the existing normal mitochondria. Similar to the way that mad cow disease replicates itself through corrupting normal proteins into self-replicating proteins that cause chaos. Is it possible to increase the protections and multiple redundancy to improve efficiency inside the entire cell? What I'm basically asking you is: Is it possible to create organized chaos instead of complete chaos? Another possible solution would be a smart method of identifying what changes take place in a cell. Just rip out the old and install a new more efficient one with a password sentry system attached. A more practical way would be to identify the most common viral instructions given to mitochondria. The same way computers are given anti-viral patches to upgrade anti-viral programs. If a recognized viral sequence was to come into contact with the mitochondria we could teach it to create a protein glue to keep the virus trapped inside the cell and shut down the other functions. I am aware of influenza inoculations and what they do. At present they only update the immune system not all of the individual cells of the body.
Andrew Alan Brown, emailto: AndrewNymph@Yahoo.com
Dear Dr. Mo,
My name is Andrea Severson and I am a student of Mrs. Lundberg's Advanced Biology class. We are discussing bioethical topics and the topic that I have chosen is In Vitro Fertilization. I tried to decide if it is an ethical form of reproduction and if it is worth the effort and money. First, I found out what exactly In Vitro Fertilization involved. Then, I weighed the advantages and disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages are the cost, the length of time involved, the amount of medical tests and just the stress of not knowing whether it's going to pay off in the end. The one advantage that outweighed all of the disadvantages was the fact that a baby or babies could be produced. Parents who go through In Vitro want a child so badly they go through all of the work of In Vitro. In the end, I concluded that In VItro Fertilization was an ethical form of reproduction and was worth it. A child who is created through In Vitro is a child that is wanted so much that it's mother and father put forth such an effort to have it. I believe that children of In Vitro are no different than naturally conceived children except for how they were created. Thank you for letting me share my opinion and I hope I have given an informative insight on In Vitro Fertilization. Sincerely,
Andrea Severson
Dear Dr. Mo,
I am from Deuel High School and I recently posted a WebQuest about Fetal Transplantation. I feel that fetal transplantation is a good thing to do. I believe that this process will save more lives today. After reading a story about an open womb surgery and also about how miraculously the baby developed, I would definately suggest this to anybody. If you have any concerns about this you should contact your doctor.
Sincerely, Kara Nielsen
Dear Dr. Mo:
I am a student of Mrs. Ramona Lundberg of Deuel High School. I have recently posted a web quest on the issue of the genetic engineering of food. Because of the research that I have done I have decided to express my view point of the topic.
My stance on this issue is that genetically engineering food is an unethical practice. According to the philosophy of deontology, the principle of an action must be capable of universalization without self-contradiction to be considered ethical. The intent of genetically engineering food may not be flawed; to make more and cheaper food, but the principle gets flawed when we consider the negative affects it can have on people and the environment.
Thank you for your time, my e-mail address is craigersbuff16@hotmail.com if there are any questions that need answers.
Dear Dr. Mo,
Hi, my name is Stephani Schiefelbein, and I am writing you from Deuel High School in Clear Lake, South Dakota. I researched a topic which was called Genetic Counseling. I feel that genetic counseling helps families out with any genetic problems that they may have. Just imagine what it would be like if there was no service or program to help those out with genetic disabilities. It takes a special person to help those in need and one who has been trained in medical genetics. People rely on doctors to help them out with their medical problems, but what some people don't realize is that there are special doctors out there that are trained to deal with any genetic/medical problems that there may be. Sincerely,
Stephani Schiefelbein
Dr. Mo: I am a senior at Deuel High school in Clear Lake, S.D. I have been working on a filamentality site about palliative care. I feel that palliative care is a good thing. it looks at dying as a natural process, and not something that should be feared by society. It makes dying more pleasant by providing emotional support for both the family and the person with a terminal illness. Patients have the option of easing their pain with drugs to make their dying a more peaceful experience. I think that our society should support palliative care. people claim that the drugs used to ease pain may be addictive or hasten death, but I feel if one is terminally ill, and there is no hope of recovery, that the simple matter is that they will die sometime. Thus, they should have the opportunity of dying in the comfort of their home with their families by their side, and not have to die alone hooked up to IV's in a hospital. I think that palliative care is ethical, when used to treat terminally ill patients. Please reply at the following address: rlundber@itctel.com Sincerely,
Mandy Stone
"The Role of Medicine was to Heal not to Experiment" This was an essay I was given recently, I have Already Handed it in but thought it would be a good disscussion. I realize it is very open ended but I feel that there is a lot to say on the Subject.
What role does doctors' professional dominance play in creating ethical problems in medical care?
A patient in his seventies came to the hospital with esophageal paralysis related a CVA. A traceostomy was done and the patient communicated by writing. One thing led to another and the patient ended up with multiple problems including a bowel obstruction and renal failure. The physician informed the patient and his wife and children that the patient may need to be placed on a vent to maintain life. The patient had previously filled out a living will that stated his wish not to be placed on life support in the event of a terminal illness. The patients wife was emotionally unstable (this was the wifes description and her childrens description of her, not just the staff's assessment of her emotional state) Prior to being placed on the vent, the patient begged his wife and the physican not to put him on the ventilator and to let him die. He was in a lot of pain and his prognosis was very poor. The wife continually asked the physician not to listen to her husband and to place him on the vent if it became necessary stating he was all she had, the love of her life, she could not cope without him. The patient's children expressed to the physician their desire to honor their fathers living will and allow him to die as he was requesting. The physician made the decision to place the patient on a ventilator stating the patient was depressed at the time and not able to make a rational decision. What is your opinion?
I have question here and that is " what do you think are the social implication of IQ testing.
I am writing a paper on the ethical issues of genetically programming fetuses so that when they are born they will posses certain traits that their parents desire i.e. hair color, eye color, height, etc. It would be much appreciated to hear other peoples opinions on this matter.
Presently I sit on an Ethics Consultation Committee at a Mental health Institution where I both work and frequent as a patient. The question before us at the moment is: Do in-patients have a RIGHT to physical/sexual involvement on the ward? If so, does the hospital have the RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY to force contraception and other safety measures on clients? There are many other questions, but I shall start with those.
Thank you, sd
[Ed. Note: On my request, the writer provided the following details.]
1. By "physical/sexual involvement" I mean everything from sitting close, holding hands on the couch, to laying in bed together watching TV to fondling to oral sex to intercourse. 2. Institution is for adults, most are "competent" and the real "troublesome" ward is "rehab" because consumers are likely to be "competent". Now, competence is of course a very tricky concept - one may be competent in one area but not another and so on. All consent to treatment and to their placement in rehab. This can be for months and years. 3. In order to "force contraception" doctors use various methods. Some say that depo provera is used. Others say it is not. In one case a patient had an IUD and the doctor refused to allow her access to a medical doctor to take it out (she finally left the hospital). The most common method is forcing abstinence. Not letting individual off floor, out on grounds, etc.
I have a question - a bit removed from the topic at hand and possibly not relevant to it at all - but here goes anyway: What about using organ removal as an alternative way of execution for death row inmates? Providing that they are willing - it seems a more humane way for this to happen and might offer them a chance to make some amends for thier crime - a life for a life. I'm not sure of my own opinion on this - but it was the topic of discussion in one of my classes and I found it intriguing.
Greetings, Recently there has been quite a heated debate about the use of Prozac. Although, there are no obvious causes, either biological or environmental, Prozac seems to 'help' people suffering from depression. "Listening to Prozac," written by Krammar illuminates three examples of pts that were 'seemingly' effected by the WONDER DRUG. Krammar strugles as a psyciatrist prescribing Prozac and discusses some of the ethical problems associated with Prozac. But should we be concerned about these moral concerns that Krammar illuminates, or it a matter that in general people are hesitant to allow for prescribing Prozac because it changes the person that takes the drug?
Take the case of two basketball players: BB1-- good shooting % BB2-- below average shooting % but has been found to have poor eyesight now, we give BB2 a pair of glasses to improve his eyesight, and her shooting % becomes much better.
Now whats so different about treating a depressed pt with Prozac. By fixing the biochemical imbalance(if it is that) with selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, the depressed person does improve in work abilities, social interactions, etc. By treating the lower levels of eyesight, the higher level function of shooting % increases b/c you have fixed the problem. Now whats so different about Prozac?
The question I wish you to Post! Is there any reason not to treat someone suffering from depression with the use of Prozac?
David S. Guellich, Department of Philosophy, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY, 12222, dg4448@csc.albany.edu
Is it right to keep a comatose patient alive and for how long?
Dear Doktor Mo,
I am wondering what you think about the fact that sixty percent of medical costs for a person are paid during the last six months of their lives. In one of my classes, I have to debate that we should NOT pay these costs. Any suggestions? Please reply to:
zlbg11@etsu.edu [Ed. Note: Also reply to this Web Site page]
What about transplanting animal organs into humans? Should it be tried when human resources are scarce?
Dear Doctor Bernstein, I am a third year cell and molecular biology student at present undertaking the task of researching transgenic bioethics for a presentation I have to give. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the information I found on your Bioethics discussion page. As a molecular biologist (in training!) it is sometimes difficult to strike a balance between maintaining ethics and at the same time knowing that the work I do may be considered by some as unethical. I stand firm by my belief though that animal experimentation including gene manipulation is an invaluable tool in the research of human disease.
Once again thank you. Ceri Stewart.
A 76yo male pt is admitted to the ICU post TIA (transient cerebral ischemic attack) that has resolved with only a slight slurring of speech. The patient is [awake, alert and oriented to person, place and time] and is post thrombolytic therapy and on a Heparin [drip]. The patient has verbally expressed to his nurse, doctor, and a nephew that he does not want to be placed on a "breathing machine," if he stops breathing and then has a cardiac arrest. He then goes on to say that, "but if my heart stops first then I want you to do everything." His immediate family, one son and two daughters, are not present. You ask the patient if he would like to fill out an Natural Death Act (NDA) form specifying these wishes. He says he wants to speak with his children first, as he is concerned that he will not get the care he should get if he signs the form. Before his family returns to the unit the patient has another occlusive event and becomes unresponsive. As his condition declines his respiratory status becomes poor, and you are concerned that the very situation that the patient did not want is about to occur.
Question: How do we as healthcare professionals and society as whole prepare ourselves, our clients, and their families to understand that they, the client or the family if the client is incapacitated, have the right and the ability to refuse specific healthcare treatment modalities without abrogating their rights to the rest of what medicine has to offer?