Bioethics (PHIL 165.001)

You or your significant other is pregnant.  You want a child, but have learned that this child would have down syndrome.  So, you get an abortion.  Did you just do something morally wrong?

You and your significant other want to have a child.  And you’d like that child to be tall, blue-eyed, brown-haired, high cheekboned, and, of course,  six packed.  The doctor tells you to list what you want, and she’ll make it happen.  Is it morally wrong for you to take the doctor up on her offer?

One of your parents is, tragically, dying from a terminal disease, is in great pain, and wants to die.  The doctor wants to help your parent achieve that goal.  Is it morally wrong for the doctor to assist in the suicide?

My finances have been tough lately.  I work hard, but I just don’t make enough money.  I met this guy who offered me $15,000 for a piece of my grade-A liver.  I’m thinking about.  Would it be morally wrong of me to sell it to him?

We’ll discuss these questions throughout the semester, and a host of others, including when it’s okay to withdraw life support, cloning, stem cell research, and what it is to die.