Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons^™

Should Primates Have Legal Rights?, Hannah Barten, Zhimin Chen

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

A primate having legal rights is a controversial topic these days. Many other countries around the world support the idea of great apes having legal rights, because we for one are one of the five great primates. Others do not support this trending topic as much as others. These types of people believe that great apes such as chimpanzees are superb testing animals for medical purposes, because of the fact that they are closely related to mankind. Organizations such as Great Ape Protection, work towards protecting the rights of these great apes since they cannot speak for themselves. In many …

Placebos: Ethical Research Or Unethical Deceit, Tawnya Schirmeister, Sabrina Crilley

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

There is an ongoing debate between whether or not it is ethical for researchers to use placebos while studying terminal illnesses. Within this debate there are two parties, the party that believes that it is ethical and the party that believes that it is not. Both parties have many valid points and have very detailed arguments against one another. When determining whether or not the use of placebos is ethical or not, you must first understand what a placebo is, and what the different types are. This paper goes over what a placebo is, what the different types are, and …

Using Placebos In Research Involving Terminal Illnesses, Mark Day, Ryan Hicks

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Placebos are medical interventions that falsely lead patients to believe that they are receiving treatment and that their condition is being changed, when truly no specific treatment is being administered. Using placebos in research involving terminal illnesses has become debatable. While a placebo could potentially give way to new treatments, through testing alongside a specific drug in a clinical trial, the placebo itself may fail and the patient is not cured leading to possible fatality. It has been found that using placebos in research, like performing surgeries, can aid in medical or clinical research and could help our society financially …

Should Designer Babies Be Regulated?, Alec Madriaga, Natasha Bates

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Designer babies have been frequently used to help prevent genetic defect of offspring. The two main procedures that can help prevent offspring of having a genetic defect is by IVF, In Vitro Fertilization, or PGD, Preimplantation Genetic Disorder. It is a topic currently being debated ethically on whether it is okay to design a baby and how far people may take the procedures to design a baby before it gets out of hand. Two sides can be approached to this topic: Should designer babies be regulated or should it not be regulated? A concern that is plaguing the minds of …

Aids Denialism, Erika Jenel Delos Santos, Roy Llana, Jocelyn Tan

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

AIDS denialism is a growing issue in many parts the world. Through scholarly journal articles, book resources and other research tactics, further understanding how HIV/AIDS denialism is unethical can be distinguished. Discovering that AIDS is most prominent in South Africa explains why denialism is as critical as it is. However, the unethical aspect of AIDS denialism is in effect particularly amongst families. When a South African inhabitant realizes they have AIDS, they feel outcasted by their families due to shame. They fear as though they will be disowned because they have flaws that are unacceptable. These family values are significant …

Vaccines Controversy, Jackelin Ruiz, Keith Wellman

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Our research was conducted on a Vaccine controversy which raised the question on ethics, morality, safety and effectiveness of vaccination on children. The case study we focused on was about a study done by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and twelve other Colleagues, which was published in a well know journal The Lancet. The study has recently been retracted because an investigation found that he failed to mention that his research of the MMR vaccine was funded through solicitors seeking evidence to use against vaccine manufactures (Deer, Brian). To conclude our research we compared the current vaccination rates with the rates …

Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Michael Phan, Jeniene Hassan

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to regenerate malfunctioning tissues and replace harmful cancer cells. Although it holds the potential to alleviate malicious disabilities and diseases, it raises ethical concerns due to the destruction of a fertilized human embryo. In certain religions (Catholics and Christians), embryonic stem cell research is detested due to the destruction of a human at its early stages of life (embryo). On the other hand, scientists believe that embryonic stem cells can “someday…used to treat human diseases.” (Hansen 879) This analysis on embryonic stem cell research will consider both the supporting and opposing side of …

Ethics Behind Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Samantha Haydock, Regine Dejesus

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Advancement in embryonic stem cell research can cure the world of sicknesses in ways that were only imagined. Out of all the stem cells, embryonic stem cells have the capabilities to develop into any cell and tissue type. Embryonic stem cell research is controversial due to how these cells are harvested. In harvesting these cells, the embryos are destroyed; further halting any development of a human being. We began our research by asking why this topic is an ethical issue. Using various media resources, we took key points from both sides and also looked into the latest advancements that may …

Ethics Of Paid Gamete Donation, Kyle Dayton, Maeleen Witte

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

This presentation shows the standing ethical questions in the aspect of gamete donation, analyzes them, and contrasts them. This article primarily focuses on whether it is ethical to pay a donor for their gametes (sperm or egg). Within this presentation, we question whether donation should be purely altruistic and not motivated by incentives.

Mid-Atlantic Ethics Committee Newsletter, Spring-Summer 2011

Mid-Atlantic Ethics Committee Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Critical Evaluation Of The Use Of Dogs In Biomedical Research And Testing In Europe, Nina Hasiwa, Jarrod Bailey, Peter Clausing, Mardas Daneshian, Sándor Farkas, István Gyertyán, Robert Hubrecht, Werner Kobel, Goran Krummenacher, Marcel Leist, Hannes Lohi, Adám Miklósi, Frauke Ohl, Klaus Olejniczak, Georg Schmitt, Patrick Sinnett-Smith, David Smith, Kristina Wagner, James D. Yager, Joanne Zurlo, Thomas Hartung

Companion Animals as Laboratory Research Subjects Collection

Dogs are sometimes referred to as “man’s best friend” and with the increase in urbanization and lifestyle changes, dogs are seen by their owners as family members. Society expresses specific concerns about the experimental use of dogs, as they are sometimes perceived to have a special status for humans. This may appear somewhat conflicting with the idea that the intrinsic value of all animals is the same, and that also several other animal species are used in biomedical research and toxicology. This aspect and many others are discussed in an introductory chapter dealing with ethical considerations on the use of …

The Challenge Of Communicating Cardiovascular Risk Information To Our Patients., Samuel S Gidding

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Each of the major cardiovascular risk factors presents unique challenges to the clinician caring for children.  Dyslipidemia and hypertension are silent and require measurement; the challenge is first risk classification and then communicating strategies for treatment, with attendant cost, in the absence of perceptible disease morbidity.  Obesity and physical inactivity, while generally obvious to the patient, require change in lifestyle for successful management; the challenge is to convince the patient to make that change.  Diabetes mellitus is a significant disease requiring complex management strategies for the patient to execute; the challenge is to add cardiovascular risk reduction strategies to the …

Evaluation Of The Reproductive And Developmental Risks Of Caffeine., Robert L Brent, Mildred S Christian, Robert M Diener

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

A risk analysis of in utero caffeine exposure is presented utilizing epidemiological studies and animal studies dealing with congenital malformation, pregnancy loss, and weight reduction. These effects are of interest to teratologists, because animal studies are useful in their evaluation. Many of the epidemiology studies did not evaluate the impact of the "pregnancy signal," which identifies healthy pregnancies and permits investigators to identify subjects with low pregnancy risks. The spontaneous abortion epidemiology studies were inconsistent and the majority did not consider the confounding introduced by not considering the pregnancy signal. The animal studies do not support the concept that caffeine …

An Evaluation Of Hospital Breastfeeding Policies In The Philadelphia Metropolitan Area 1994-2009: A Comparison With The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Ten Steps., Andrea Crivelli-Kovach, Esther K Chung

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe current breastfeeding policies and practices among Philadelphia, PA metropolitan hospitals and changes in their policies and practices over time.

METHODS: In-person group interviews were conducted to obtain a composite picture of actual breastfeeding policies and practices. One questionnaire per hospital was completed based on responses from group consensus. Twenty-five hospitals providing maternity care were contacted. Information was obtained from personnel representing different areas of maternity services. Hospitals were classified according to the degree to which they were implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

RESULTS: Mean breastfeeding rates at suburban hospitals …

Pregnant Women As Research Participants: Why Is Additional Protection Required?, Kyoko Wada

Research Day (Arts & Humanities, FIMS, and Education)

Today, blanket exclusion of pregnant women from research participation is not endorsed; however, a tendency still remains to exclude pregnant women from participating in research. This exclusion results in insufficient data to guide clinical practice for pregnant women, and hence adds risks to pregnant women and fetuses (Lyerly et al. 2007, 2008, 2009; Baylis 2010; Goldkind et al. 2010).

Proteomic Assessment Of A Cell Model Of Spinal Muscular Atrophy., Chia-Yen Wu, Dosh Whye, Lisa Glazewski, Leila Choe, Douglas Kerr, Kelvin H Lee, Robert W Mason, Wenlan Wang

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Deletion or mutation(s) of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disease characterized by spinal motor neuron death and muscle paralysis. Complete loss of the SMN protein is embryonically lethal, yet reduced levels of this protein result in selective death of motor neurons. Why motor neurons are specifically targeted by SMN deficiency remains to be determined. In this study, embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from a severe SMA mouse model were differentiated into motor neurons in vitro by addition of retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog agonist. Proteomic and western blot analyses were …

Update - March 2011, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- Quid Pro Quo, Quid Vadis - Conflict of Interest Policy of Loma Linda University School of Medicine
-- San Bernardino - A Case Study in Environmental Justice
-- Editorial

[ Claritás - Clarity in Ethics Essay Contest - Health Care: Business or Service? ]
-- First-place 2009 graduate essay winner, Mark Warren, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University
-- Second-place 2009 undergraduate essay winner, Sidney E. Irving, School of Nursing, Loma Linda University

-- 2009 Contributor's Convocation: A New View
-- 2010 Contributor's Convocation: Ethics in the Inland Empire
-- Ethics Alumni Updates

The Pulmonologist's Role In Caring For Pregnant Women With Regard To The Reproductive Risks Of Diagnostic Radiological Studies Or Radiation Therapy., Robert Brent

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Radiography of the chest, head, neck, teeth, or extremity exposes the embryo or ovary to insignificant exposures of radiation except when radionuclides are utilized. In some instances, there is no exposure at all. Pulmonologists are fortunate with regard to the specific studies they request to provide clinical care because most of the diagnostic tests do not directly expose the uterus (embryo) or ovary. This article discusses radiation risks and their evaluation and pregnancy-related issues in diagnostic radiological studies.

Organs Watch: Possibilities And Perils For Public Anthropology, Roberto Abadie

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Recent technological advances in biomedicine have introduced new therapeutic possibilities but have also contributed to the emergence of a global market for human bodies and body parts. For example, artificial modes of human reproduction created a market for eggs, semen, and surrogate wombs. In addition, organ transfer generated a demand for kidneys and half livers. The whole body has become a valuable commodity as professional research subjects venture into the economy of Phase I Clinical Trials, testing drug safety for pharmaceutical companies. In the process, the trade has become a deeply unequal one in which poor, vulnerable, and easily exploited …

Does Treatment Of Premature Labor With Terbutaline Increase The Risk Of Autism Spectrum Disorders?, Patricia Rodier, Richard K Miller, Robert L Brent

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Beta-adrenergic agents have been used in pregnant women for the treatment of premature labor and for the treatment of asthma. Concerns have been expressed that exposure to terbutaline, a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the offspring. This hypothesis deserves critical review, given the number of patients exposed to the drug in the last two decades. The results are important to both the obstetricians and patients who weigh the risks and benefits of interventions and to the pediatricians who counsel the families of affected children.