Bioethics

Bioethics

 “The Case of the Homosexual Husband” (Veatch, 67) depicts a physical with a medical ethical dilemma. This case involves a physician “Doc”, a male patient “Jack” and a female patient “Jill”. The first part of the case states that Jack made an appointment with Doc for a premarital physical exam. Doc, after reading his file knew that Jack lead a homosexual lifestyle and has been treated with sexual transmitted diseases. Making conversation, Doc asked Jack whom he plans on marrying. Jack replied his fiancée was Jill. Doc, is now in a bind because Jill is also his patient. Doc is perplexed on what his position should be in regards to this situation. Should he reveal vital information to Jill about her future husband or should he remain quite?
First, lets look at the ethic duty presented in our text book called “respect for persons.  When ethics focus on duties to individuals, it is called respect for persons.  This respect states that it is important to treat human beings as ends-in-themselves and not mere means.  Human beings deserve respect independent of the consequences of actions.  Consider certain behaviors simply to be one’s duty regardless of the consequences” (Veatch, 63). It is crucial for people to be able to stand up for what they believe in. A persons moral ethics leads them to act on what they believe is right. Therefore, that being said Doc would be exercising his ethic duty to Jill by disclosing vital information to her.  “Which either right or wrong, regardless of consequences” (Veatch, 63), would be his respect for person’s ethical duty.
Also, Doc would be following “The Principle of Veracity, which states “the simple duty to tell the truth” (Veatch, 63). The Principle of Veracity is a term used in the medical field referring to the ethics of telling the truth and is one guide of the conduct of physicians. This principle is not law, but is considered an ethical principle. Violation of this principle could result in loss of...

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