Rachels and Callahan are in direct disagreement over the existence of a moral difference between killing and letting die.After teaching this course several times, I have found that some students are very uncomfortable with the philosophy essay format.
Due: March 22, at Noon (12pm)
For this assignment, you can choose one of two options. Both options are available to
everyone.
OPTION 1: Research Ethics Cover Letter
After teaching this course several times, I have found that some students are very
uncomfortable with the philosophy essay format. Moreover, for many biology, science, or
nursing students in this course, you may never have taken a philosophy course before, and
may never take another philosophy course after biomedical ethics. So, this option is designed
to allow you to write in a format that may be more familiar to you, and may be helpful in
your future professional life. For this option, you are applying to a research ethics board for
research ethics approval under the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Research Involving
Human Beings. The familiar written format is a formal letter, demonstrating understanding
of both the Tri-Council Policy Statement, and of the central biomedical concepts of this
course: informed consent, respect for autonomy, fairness and equity, and privacy and
confidentiality. Your letter will apply for research ethics board approval based on a real or
imagined experiment involving human beings.
Format: 5-6 pages excluding header, double spaced, 12 point font. Begin with a standard
letter heading and greeting. (Perhaps addressed to “Research Ethics Board” at an imagined
hospital address, and “To Whom it May Concern”). The experiment should be described
briefly in no more than one paragraph. The bulk of your 5 pages should be taken up with
demonstrating (i) that you understand informed consent, respect for autonomy, fairness
and equity, and privacy and confidentiality and (ii) that the experiment meets these
requirements. In aid of (i), please use definitions for these concepts (paraphrased or quoted,
and correctly cited) wherever appropriate. Once a concept is defined, you will demonstrate
the depth of your understanding by showing how the experimental design considers them
appropriately. For example, informed consent is difficult if not impossible to achieve in
experiments involving patients in an emergency situation. Those in extreme amounts of
pain, or unable to breath, are not in a position to understand that an experiment is optional,
nor to make clear and unforced decisions. You are therefore advised to choose a clinical
setting for your experiment that will be compatible with informed consent, respect for
autonomy, fairness and equity, and privacy and confidentiality. If you choose an experiment
involving children, or patients with diminished capacities, you may also find the need to add
a discussion of competence.
Organization: For the Research Ethics Cover Letter, you are responsible for organizing
the material in a clear and logical manner. There will be significant marks allocated for clarity
including organization, grammar, and correct citation. You may find it helpful to use subheadings
in your letter, such as: (1) Experimental Design; (2) Informed Consent; (3) Respect
for Autonomy; (4) Fairness and Equity; and (5) Privacy and Confidentiality.
OPTION 2: Thesis Defense Essay
This option is available to anyone who is interested in writing a philosophy essay, or who
wants to write about one of the major controversies examined in this course. For this
option, you will write a philosophical thesis defense essay responding to one of the
following questions:
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH NURSING TERM PAPERS TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT
