Rosa Espinoza

HS 2050

This I Believe
Rights of patients and physicians
1. Patient autonomy, truth-telling, and confidentiality- telling the truth seems like a very simple
moral rule. I believe all patients should be hearing the truth, and to have that confidentiality with
the physician. I know some patients would rather be lied to, then to find out the truth. But honestly
lying or telling somewhat information will lead to greater harm. Confidentiality should be kept
between the patient, and physician. Patients need to have that trust, so that the doctor can better
help.
2. Medical research ethics and informed consent- Informed consent is very important. With a
informed consent the patient should be able to fully understand the situation. Many health care
physicians fail to give us all the information we need to understand. We do live in a world were in
some cultures they may not considered informed consent to be right. Like family norms, preserving
communities, could be more important than individual autonomy to them. There are still many
societies and cultures were women are not capable of making their own medical decision. We need
to change that, because everyone needs to have that freedom to know what is best for his or her
own situation.

Controls
3. Genetic control - I can agree on some things but not all things about genetic control. I don’t
feel like changing our genes to help enhance IQ, enhancing body features like height, eye color,
hair color etc., are a good thing. Perfect people do not exist and that is okay, because we are all
unique and different. That is what makes us human. I do agree on changing genetics for life-
threating diseases. I believe that if that diseases are preventable, then why not cure that? If it is
possible then we should.
4. Reproductive control – reproductive control is never ok. Every woman should be able to decide
when they want to get pregnant. Women should never be pressured or feel manipulate. This is still
happening around the world today. Millions of women only options are abortion, half being
performed unsafe. This leads to maternal mortality. Women should be capable of making their
own decisions, not depending on politicians and judges to approve their decisions.
Terminations
5. Abortion- - I am a pro-abortion, I feel like every woman should be able to decide whether they
want to have the baby or not. I believe a child should not be born at all, then to come in this world
being unwanted. Because it’s not the child’s fault and should not be exposed to mistreatment,
physical or phycological abuse. this is one of the many reasons why children are abused because
the mother has no choice then to have it. Another reason why I support abortion is because, some
women are so desperate into having an abortion with it being illegal in some states. Many of them
die with dangerous attempts to induce their own abortions, leading cause of maternal deaths around
the world. Women have abortions for many reasons; to young, rape, great distress, financial
problems among other things and why should these children suffer.

6. Treating or terminating impaired infants- I believe it’s the parents’ choice whether they want
to have their baby who is diagnose with down syndrome, or who is severely defective. Not all
people have the money for it. Parents also think about the child pain, they don’t want them to
suffer, so it’s their choice to spare their pain and misery. It can be a traumatic episode where they
have to devote their time and energy caring for this child, for who knows how many years. Parents
should have that choice and not be judge or feel guilty by their decisions.

7. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide- I think having the right to end your life should be
a choice. With the exception of is it really necessary of course. I would agree if someone had a
really bad disease that was uncurable, that made the person sick, and miserable all the time. This
person should go through all that suffering. Not only do these people only suffer, but so does their
families. If I had a family member that was going through so much pain, and had no cure, and no
choice but to live like this for the rest of his or her life. I would be ok with them choosing
euthanasia.

Resources
8. Organ transplants and scarce medical resources- I personally would not donate my organs.
I know it can save lives but is not something I would do, nor I would like my family to donate
theirs either. I know that organ transplant could save millions of people, but it is still not a
guarantee that it will save your life. I also do understand that organ transplants are important in
our society. Another problem with organ transplantation, is being on the wait list giving people
false hope. Never really knowing if they will actually receive one.
9. Distributing health care (How it should be allocated based on age/status/ability to pay) –
Health care has always been a limited source for many. Everyone needs healthcare, millions of
Americans continue not having healthcare resources. If more people were granted health care,
there would be better health outcome in the world. people without healthcare are more prone to
serious barriers and will not have the necessary and appropriate care they need. A universal
healthcare system is needed for this country it could saves millions of lives.

Challenges
10. Health care for women – We have yet to pursuit a full equality, when it comes to women.
Society has always raised women and their daughters to not have a voice. Women need to
understand that we have that right, to be informed about our medical procedures. And know we
have control of our own bodies. Many years ago, women did not have any health rights. All
decisions were made by their husbands and doctors. In some countries this is still true, although
we have come along way since. Why when it comes to women, we consider issues of health and
illnesses.
11. Health care for minorities- we know see more and more morbidity and mortality in
minorities. They have the higher rank for chronic diseases, which can lead to financial burdens.
They should have a doctor or be able to obtain healthcare when it is needed. And that is our
problem today many do not have a doctor or health provider. Most minorities do not have this
source, compared to other groups. Minorities are at a high risk for chronic conditions.
12. Health care for and responsibilities of those with AIDS/HIV- I want to look at both sides
on this because, it can be either good or bad. I do want everyone to have healthcare especially
people with chronic diseases. People with HIV do need it as well. In other hand HIV can be easily
transmitted in medical and dental settings, exposing many people. They could be at risk both
patients and providers, for bloodborne pathogens. I do not want to discriminate, people with HIV
should have the same rights. Providers just need to have proper sterilization, and practice safe
procedures.