You will choose a topic that reflects current and contemporary ethical issues. Some suggestions include:
Human organs (selling, allocation of, other related topics), polygenic embryo testing/designer babies, abortion, death penalty, healthcare for undocumented immigrants, supervised injection sites for drug users, clinical trials and medical research (including purposeful infection, equitable representation, informed consent), human embryos/fetal tissue for research, artificial intelligence in medicine, mandated vaccinations/refusal to vaccinate, distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, global vaccine distribution, ethical vaccine testing, wait times for prior authorization of medical treatments, cost containment in healthcare vs. quality & safety of care, privacy with infectious diseases (HIV, TB, etc.), marketing practices of drugs and medical equipment, equity in medical resources (care, medications, procedures, etc.), pricing transparency,
Ethical Issue
Introduce your contemporary ethical issue topic, background information, statistics, and the main ethical problem(s) presented
Examine how personal morals may conflict with this issue providing specific examples
2. Pros and Cons debated with ethical issue (please use bullet points for each followed by thorough discussion. You can use phrases rather than complete sentences as long as it explains your point):
Discuss the pros of this contemporary ethical issue; how it may benefit the individual and society
Discuss the cons of this contemporary ethical issue; how it may have a detrimental effect on the individual and society
Keep in mind you should include the viewpoint of the different sides of the ethical argument and depending on the point of view the statement could be both a pro and a con. Think of it as a debate.
3. Ethical Principles
Explain how at least two (2) ethical principles from page 88 of the textbook that are either upheld or violated related to the contemporary ethical issue. Please do NOT choose justice as this is addressed below; please do NOT choose both beneficence and nonmaleficence. Please use bullet points for each principle followed by a thorough explanation including consideration from both sides of the debate. Performing a library search for the name of your topic “and ethics” or “and autonomy” or one of the other principles can help add depth to this section.
4. Social Determinants of Health and/or Bias
Choose to discuss either:
Social determinants of health (an introduction to social determinants of health can be found at Healthy People 2030 Social Determinants of Health – click on the hyperlink)
Explain what social determinants of health are, including the five domains. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your source.
Apply at least two (2) social determinants of health domains and how they may play a role in your contemporary ethical issue. Provide an explanation and specific examples.
Performing a library search with your topic “and social determinants of health” can provide more depth and perspective.
OR
o Bias:
Define implicit or unconscious bias in your own words (paraphrase). An introduction to implicit bias can be found at Kirwin Institute Bias Module (click on the hyperlink)
Examine how implicit or unconscious bias may affect your contemporary ethical issue. Provide an explanation and specific examples. Performing a library search with your topic “and bias” can provide more depth and perspective.
5. Justice (distributive or social):
Choose either distributive or social justice and explain its main concepts in your own words (paraphrase). This should show an understanding of the type of justice. This should be more than one sentence and supported with evidence.
Examine how this type of justice (distributive or social) may be seen in your chosen contemporary ethical issue. Be thorough and provide specific examplessupported by reputable references. Performing a library search with your topic “and social justice” or “and distributive justice” can provide more depth and perspective. Ex: search for “abortion and social justice”.
6. Social and Professional Responsibility
Explain your professional responsibilities related to your chosen contemporary ethical issue using specific guidance from your Code of Ethics (ANA Code of Ethics, ACHCA Code of Ethics, or ACHE Code of Ethics). Please provide a specific interpretive statement, provision (sub-provision), expectation, or responsibility statement from the appropriate Code of Ethics. This should be more than one sentence.
Explain your social responsibility regarding your chosen contemporary ethical issue. Consider ways you can advocate for change in your community, state, nation, or globally to either support or halt the ethical issue. Example: what organization or political action committee could you join to advocate for your topic? This should show evidence of critical thinking and be specific to the topic
