As the opioid crisis reaches a fever pitch, public perception often lumps chronic pain patients and opioid abusers under the stigma-tainted umbrella of drug user. But the full picture of human interaction with pain, pain management, and addiction is far from black and white. In its most recent narrative symposium, Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics published personal stories from those living with chronic pain or opioid abuse disorder. Both groups comment on their need for medical treatment and ethical care.
The post Living with Pain and Opioid Addiction: Bioethics Narratives appeared first on The Hastings Center.
The protections of GINA play a key role in the decision of many of my healthy patients to decide to undergo genetic testing. My criticism is that GINA is unfair to people who might suffer discrimination in health. insurance for non-genetic reasons.
The post Is GINA Unjust? appeared first on The Hastings Center.
A prominent group of scientists, bioethicists, and other specialists from around the world recently called for a global moratorium on clinical uses of human germline editing—“changing heritable DNA (in sperm, eggs or embryos) to make genetically modified children.” Before a country allows this to proceed, these authors recommend establishing “broad societal consensus in the nation… Read more
The post Pursue Public Engagement, but Don’t Expect ‘Broad Societal Consensus’ appeared first on The Hastings Center.
The creation of humanlike intelligence in a nonbiological being would be the greatest achievement in human history.
Many experts believe this will happen within decades. What role should, or could, regulatory bodies play?
The post Should Pandora’s Brain Be Regulated? appeared first on The Hastings Center.
The federal government's proposed rule to disqualify families from public housing if any member is undocumented will harm children, families, and cities.
The post Forced from Home: Evicting Immigrants from Public Housing Harms Children’s Health appeared first on The Hastings Center.
Should religion play a role in a doctor's care of seriously ill patients? The author, a hematologist/oncologist who teaches Jewish medical ethics, writes: "A physician's outlook may be shaped by religious standards without having to impose it on the patient."
The post Religion, Suffering, and the Physician’s Role appeared first on The Hastings Center.
If virtuous perfection of natural talents is what sports is all about, sports needs more people like Caster Semenya, the South African runner. But she is now ineligible for competing in middle distance events unless she takes medication to suppress her naturally high testosterone levels. Is this fair?
The post Caster Semenya and the Challenges of Sports Brackets appeared first on The Hastings Center.
It was unethical for a fertility doctor to use his own sperm to inseminate patients without their consent. But what are the legal harms to the women? To their children?
The post What’s Wrong with a Fertility Doctor Using His Own Sperm? appeared first on The Hastings Center.
The new indie movie William explores the question, What would what it be like if a Neanderthal were born and raised in a modern, industrialized society today?
The post Rationality as Understood by a Neanderthal appeared first on The Hastings Center.
Should an elderly person in decent health but "tired of life" be able to die with a physician's assistance? The Netherlands is grappling with this question.
The post Should Feeling Tired of Life Be Grounds for Euthanasia? appeared first on The Hastings Center.
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