Chapter 7: Bioethical Issues in Health Care

Bioethical Issues in Health Care addresses deeply polarizing topics like the termination of pregnancy, weighing constitutional rights to privacy and self-determination against the moral debate regarding fetal viability and the right to life. Advances in genetic research, including recombinant DNA and the Human Genome Project, are analyzed for their potential to cure diseases while raising significant concerns about genetic discrimination in insurance and employment. The discussion extends to the use of fetal tissue and stem cells for treating chronic conditions, alongside the ethical considerations of public versus private umbilical cord blood banking. In organ transplantation, the sources outline the legal frameworks for donation, the criteria for determining neurological death, and the nursing duty to recognize and refer potential donors to organizations like the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for equitable allocation. End-of-life care is scrutinized through the principles of distributive justice and the use of advance directives, such as living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, to ensure patient wishes are honored during medical emergencies. The chapter distinguishes between passive euthanasia and active mercy killing, noting the professional opposition to assisted suicide. Furthermore, it examines the privacy challenges and the duty to care associated with HIV and AIDS, where individual rights to confidentiality often conflict with broader public health interests. Finally, the specific ethical needs of pediatric patients are highlighted, focusing on mandatory child abuse reporting and the rights-in-trust doctrine for children who lack the full capacity for rational decision-making.