Ethics in Healthcare

Select a topic to prepare a research paper on. The paper should be five to seven single spaced pages long, with a bibliography of at least five sources. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

1. Cochlear implants;
2. H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. partner notification (preventing harm versus confidentiality);
3. Mandatory vaccinations;
4. Medicinal use of marijuana;
5. Mental Health Outpatient Commitment laws;
6. Opt-In or Opt-out system for organ donations;
7. Physician assisted suicide;
8. Safe Injection Sites
9. Surrogate motherhood;
10. Therapeutic cloning;
11. Using Nazi research.

The paper should include at a minimum the following sections:

A. Background explanation of the ethical issue; (Be sure to include a brief summary of the arguments for and against).
B. Reference, cite and explain the current legal status of the topic (cases, statutes, and/or proposed statutes, etc.);

C. Reference and discuss at least two authors’ opposing (i.e.one for and one against) perspectives of the ethical issues raised by the topic;
D. Argue at least two opposing (i.e.one for and one against) ethical perspectives of the issue utilizing at least two of the ethical theories and principles cited in the course readings. These ethical theories and principles (limited to consequentialism, utilitarianism, deontologism, virtue ethics, autonomy, paternalism, double effect, and honesty) are all contained in the materials for weeks one through four.
E. The conclusion weighs the two approaches taken in the paper and then uses ethical reasoning to assess which approach makes the most sense.

As you work on your paper feel free to consult around any problems or concerns.

Rubric for Assessment of Term Paper

1. Background explanation of the ethical issue. (Preliminary Version)
   a. Clearly articulated and insightful with a sense of purpose. (15 points)
   (Be sure to include a brief summary of the arguments for and against).
   b. The presentation of the ethical issue may be strongly articulated, insightful, or purposeful, but fails to be all three. (12 points)
   c. Focuses more on substantive health issue not the ethical issue. (9 points)
   d. Hard to tell what the ethical issue is. (6 points).

2. Reference, cite and explain the current legal status of the topic (cases, statutes, and/or proposed statutes, etc. (Preliminary Version).
   a. Legal reference is relevant for the ethical issue, timely, and explained clearly. (20 points)
   b. Legal reference is relevant for the ethical issue, timely, and/or explained clearly, but fails to do all three. (15 points)
   c. Reference is not particularly appropriate for the ethical issue. (10 points)
   d. No legal reference is cited. (0 points)

3. Reference and discuss at least two author’s opposing (i.e.one for and one against) perspectives of the ethical issues raised by the topic. (Preliminary Version)
   a. The two authors’ opposing perspectives were relevant, balanced and discussed in an insightful manner. (20 points)
   b. The two authors’ opposing perspectives were relevant, balanced and/or discussed in an insightful manner, but not all three. (15 points)
   c. Only one relevant author and/or ethical perspective was referenced. (10 points)
   d. No authors’ ethical perspectives were referenced. (0 points)

4. Argue two opposing (i.e.one for and one against) ethical perspectives of the issue utilizing at least two of the ethical theories and principles cited in the course materials. (Preliminary Version)
   a. The two ethical theories or principles were relevant, balanced and discussed in an insightful manner. (20 points)
   b. The two ethical theories or principles were relevant, balanced and/or discussed in an insightful manner, but not all three. (15 points)
   c. Only one relevant ethical theory or principle was referenced. (10 points)
   d. No relevant ethical theories or principles were referenced. (0 points)