PHIL2223 Bio Ethics

Answer the following case study questions. state your opinion then support it using the only provided readings. And also state the opposing view as well Monica, a one-year-old has been admitted to the hospital after a two week period in which her walking has significantly deteriorated, she’s become sleepy and has started vomiting. A brain scan has revealed what looks like a large tumor in the back of her head – probably one of most malignant types - a medulloblastoma. An operation was scheduled for the next morning to confirm the suspected diagnosis (90 – 95% certain) and to remove the bulk of the tumor before irradiation. A tumor of that type and in that location cannot be completely removed. If there is a medulloblastoma, there is a 20% chance of survival and because radiation to the brain and spinal cord is the recommended treatment, only 50% of the survivors will be intellectually normal. It is also very possible that radiation will cause physical disabilities (for example, blindness). Recently, chemotherapy has been given as an attempt to avoid causing disabilities but it’s too early to know the long term results of this therapy. The resident doctor commented: Her outlook is really bad, and I certainly wouldn’t like to grow up as a handicapped – intellectually and physically disabled, child. Are we being fair to her or ourselves by trying to keep her alive? a) Suppose it is your child. What would you do? 1) Not do the operation 2) Do the operation and treat with chemotherapy 3) Do the operation and treat it with radiation. 4) Discuss in terms of the social model of disability (or Gedge’s view) and the medical model of disability (or Purdy’s view) 5) If applicable, discuss views on euthanasia.