Instructions
For this week’s assignment respond to one of the following options, and include Option 1, 2, or 3 as part of
your heading.
Option 1: The first option is to name and describe in detail a key specific and recent healthcare technology.
What are at least two key moral problems this technology creates? What are the proper moral guidelines
for dealing with it in your view? Compare your approach to what an utilitarian and ethical egoist would say
(each independently).
Option 2: In the second option, name and describe in detail a key specific and recent social technology.
What are at least two key moral problems this technology creates? What are the proper moral guidelines
for dealing with it in your view? Compare your moral approach to what an utilitarian and social contract
ethicist would say (each independently).
Option 3: John Doe, Patient One, is in late stage of kidney disease. If he does not receive a new kidney,
then he is predicted to die within a week. Doe is 45, single, and has no children. Doctors theorize that Doedamaged his kidney by not following a low-salt diet. Doe inherited one million dollars and is known for
giving money to charity. Without a transplant, he will probably be forced to spend all his money searching
for a kidney outside of the usual legal channels. Patient Two is Jane Doe (no relation to John). Patient Two
is a mother of two children (ages 21 and 24). She is divorced and 55 years old. She developed kidney
problems due to eating a high-fat and high-sugar diet. If she does not receive a kidney within one month,
doctors believe she will die. Patient Three is an orphan. This orphan lives in a state facility. She was born
with a genetic condition that constantly damages her kidney. The only known approach to her condition is
to provide her with a kidney transplant every so often. She is 11 and has already undergone two kidney
transplants. She will perish in two months if she does not receive another transplant.
All three patients are at the same hospital. The hospital only has one kidney to give out. The orphan’s birth
parents were known to be of a religion that is opposed to organ donation. The other patients come from
religions that do not oppose organ donation. Who should get the kidney? Why should that candidate
receive it over the others? Devise a course of social action and a solution for this case by using the ethics
of egoism and then utilitarianism to a key moral conflict involving health care in this case. Appraise the
interests of diverse populations (in terms of ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) and how they
relate to the case.
For all the options:
Cite the textbook and incorporate outside sources, including citations.
You should not be using any text you used in a discussion board or assignment for this class or any
previous class.
You will submit all of the following:
A written report that presents one of the options above (Be sure to give equal time to each element.)
An oral presentation that summarizes the report and examines the ethical ideas beyond the particulars of
each case.
The link or a scan of the article mentioning the health technology, social technology, or case you are
reporting on. If you made up the case, please indicate that in your report.
You should not be using any text you used in a discussion board or assignment for this class or any
previous class.
Cite the textbook and incorporate outside sources, including citations.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
TEXT BOOK
Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). Mcgraw-Hill Education.