Ethical Theories Paper Example

Case study one

a) It is the case of Eugenics because it entails the improvement of hereditary genes. It would not be advisable for the parents to select for the sex of the baby because the baby has the right to naturally have any sex and the primary reason for selective breeding was to eliminate the HD. It is according to the rule utilitarianism which states that an action is right as long as it conforms to a rule that leads to maximum benefit of good

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b) It is not ethical for this couple to have a baby when the mother could begin showings signs of HD when the baby is just a few years old because they will be endangering the life of an innocent baby. According to the act utilitarianism which states that a person's actions are only right if they produce the best possible result in a given circumstance the couple's efforts could be correct if it leads to a positive outcome.

c) It is not ethical for this couple to have a baby without genetically ensuring that the baby would not have a disease. If the technology were not existent, it would still not be ethical to have the baby because it would be taking chances on the life of another human being. A carrier with cystic fibrosis with a recessive gene can have a baby because for it to be passed to the baby each parent has to have the aa genotype.

d) Weighing everything we have discussed the couple acted ethically based on the rule utilitarianism which states that which states that an action is right as long as it conforms to a rule that leads to maximum benefit of right and in this case maximum benefit was achieved when eggs without HD were fertilized and the baby born would not have the disease. Similarly, the couple acted ethically according to act utilitarianism which states that a person's actions are only right if they produce the best possible result in a given circumstance the couple's efforts could be correct if it leads to a positive outcome which in this case a positive outcome was achieved.

Case study two

The treatment should not be wholly disbanded or regarded as useless because if done in the right way it can help. But if it reaches a point where a patient suffers in the name of such treatment, then it should be scrapped off entirely.

A physician should step in to stop a cultural practice when it causes harm and pain without benefitting the patient.

The physician should not alienate the mother from other people but instead, educate her and others on the limits of cultures when it comes to medical treatment. Alienation would not be beneficial because the patient can have a chronic illness and they can be put into isolation every time they are getting treatment.

The physician should report the mother although her child might be taken away from her unwillingly a situation that would have otherwise been eliminated by educating the mother. Similarly the child and the mother will face a separation that would traumatize both of them, But According to Kant's ethical theory which states that the rightness or wrongness does not depend on the repercussions but whether it fulfills the duty then the physician should go ahead as long as the mission of enhancing the care of the baby is fulfilled.

Case study three

The woman has a right to make this choice because she is in excruciating pain and she is soon going to die, and the diamorphine can be helpful to her. The act is an extension of her autonomy because she has suggested herself and if embraced then her independence would have been considered.

The short amount of time she has to live is ethically relevant because she needs to die with dignity. There is an ethical difference between dying in 6 hours and dying in a week because the shorter the time quicker ways of making the person live their last days well need to be considered. Similarly, a year requires different approaches to make life bearable before death because it is a bit longer than days or weeks.

The patient's opinion is powerful enough to influence the actions of others because they need to be heard for them to give a chance to die with dignity. She should not be helped in killing herself because they could have more days or years to live beyond the expectations of the physicians.

The money should not be taken into account because she is not obliged to pay as she is on her deathbed. Legalizing euthanasia will create conflict because it would be hard to determine when euthanasia should be done and who should decide. No one wants to end their lives earlier to save money because they only use what they have obtained.

If I were the physician, I would apply all the ethical principles. I would not pass the judgment on another physician because I know the ethics required of me.

Case study four

I believe that the physician's actions are justified because they exercised due care for the patient not to lose her life because of her arrogance and ignorance. There is an ethical theory that can support this claim and it is the theory of rule utilitarianism which states that an action is right as long as it conforms to a rule that leads to the maximum benefit of good. In this case, the maximum benefit achieved is safeguarding life.

There is nothing else they could have done because the swelling needed to remove immediately lest it burst and kill the patient.

It is right to take away someone's autonym when the situation dictates so for instance to save a life. It can be done so by looking at the character of the person if they are doing it for self-benefit or the benefit of others. According to virtue theory the moral character of a person is considered more than the ethical duties and this exactly what the doctors did to save the life of the patient.

If I were one of the social workers, I would do exactly what the doctors did because it was meant to maximize the benefit of the patient according to act ethical theory.

Case study five

a) An explanation of the need to protect the life of the fetus should now be given to Janet and her parents so that they understand the need for remaining in life-supporting machines.

b) Because she has another life inside her and the decisions she makes a demand to factor in the unborn baby.

c) I agree with this statute because the life of the innocent and unborn baby needs to be protected. According to the social contract theory if natural rights are not secured, then the obligation to obey can be withdrawn. In this case, the patient does not want to defend natural rights, and as a result, the duty to obey her is removed.

d) As Janet's surrogate I would follow the doctors advise because it is essential to save the life of the unborn baby.

References

Melden, A. (2013). Ethical theories. Read Books Ltd.

Stocker, M. (2014). The schizophrenia of modern ethical theories. The Journal of philosophy, 73(14), 453-466.