The first student to respond should briefly summarize the case so we all remember what we're talking about!
Then, collectively, answer the questions at the end of the case. Work together to create thorough, well-thought out answers. Challenge (gently!) each other until you get a satisfying response.
This case is about a man who is unmarried and wants a vasectomy. He can only afford to have the procedure done at a clinic but the doctor has reservations about performing the procedure. He wants the patient to consider the feelings of a potential future wife but the patient insists on having the operation.
ReplyDelete1. I don't think that the doctor should perform the operation if he feels that it is wrong. I don't think that the patient not being able to afford the procedure anywhere else should really play into the doctor's decision. If he doesn't feel that it is right to perform the operation then he should not perform it.
2. I do think that there is something morally wrong with the patient's request. He is not taking into account the feelings of a potential future wife. The patient is making a major decision for two people by himself with absolutely no input from the other party.This would be a case of ethical egoism. The patient is thinking only about himself and not considering other people.
Can this really be called a case of ethical egoism? Perhaps, the women in Gregory X's life so far have not wanted children. If he has based his decision upon past dating pattern which he is likely to continue can we say he has not considered other people's thoughts on the subject?
DeleteI do think that this is a case of ethical egoism. He isn't considering the thoughts of his potential future wife who could want children. This is a decision to be made between two individuals, not just one. By removing the decision from the other individual he is not giving the proper respect that should be accorded to that individual as a human being. It should not matter if every woman he has ever met has not wanted children because their opinion on this matter is not relevant to the scenario. The only opinions that matter to this scenario is Gregory X's and his potential future wife's, and it is not possible to know what his potential future wife would want. Because of this I think that it is acceptable to say that he has not considered other people's thoughts on the subject because the only other person's thought that should impact his decision making is that of his potential future wife and it is impossible for him to know what her feeling towards parenthood would be at this point in time.
DeleteAn excellent reply I'm glad to see you did not leap to calling his decision a case of ethical egoism.
Delete1. I believe that the doctor has a responsibility to perform the procedure because it is what the patient wants, however I feel that the doctor is not required to perform the surgery. He should not be required to a perform a surgery that he doesn't think would be the right thing to do. Especially when he is not only thinking for himself or the patient, but for the patient's possible future wife as well.
ReplyDelete2. I do not think that it is morally wrong for him to make this decision. If he marries a woman who also does not want kids, there would be no problem. Also if he were to change his mind down the road, the surgery could possibly be reversed. So I do not think it is morally wrong, because it is not a bad thing to get this procedure done, however, I don't believe he should have the surgery out of consideration for the person he may marry someday.
1. Dr. H should consent to Gregory's request, unless there is a serious health risk involved in the vasectomy. As an adult, he should be able to make a decision of that nature, especially about his own life. He even states that he has considered the surgery for a significant amount of time, so it isn't an idea of impulse. In response to the consideration of the spouse, Gregory will probably choose to be with someone who has the same desires of not wanting children. Even if the couple decides later to have children, there is a possibility the surgery can be reversed, or they could turn to adoption.
ReplyDelete2. I don't believe Gregory's wish is morally wrong. The only person the decision is affecting is himself. A moral issue that could be brought up from this case is that a vasectomy is a cessation of potential lives. Yet, any type of contraception is also a form of prevention.
The decision made by Dr. H should be entirely his own. The questions is does he feel that there is something morally problematic for him in Gregory X's request? If there is he has the right to refuse his request and that decision needs to be respected. However, if Gregory X still wishes to have a vasectomy Dr. H should for professional reasons refer him to another individual who he thinks would best be able to help him find a solution to his problem.
ReplyDelete1. Yes, Dr. H should accede to Gregory X's request. Gregory isn't making a hash decision choosing to become sterilized. He's thought about this for years and no one should intrude on his right especially since it's not affecting anyone else besides him. His intentions for choosing the operation seem solid; some people just don't want to be parents and there's nothing wrong with that, plus other means of contraceptives aren't as sure fire as a vasectomy.
ReplyDelete2. No, I do not see anything morally problematic about Gregory's request. Choosing to become sterile is not hurting anyone or anything. You can't even use the same reasoning that they use to go against abortion, which is that you're putting an end to a living human being. If he really wanted to he could choose to have his sperm frozen just in case one day his significant other changes his mind. Plus adoption is always still an option.
1.) I think that Dr. H should accede to the patients request. Gregory has thought about this for four years and he has a right as an American citizen to have this procedure done. He has thought about this enough to make a reasonable decision and he has decided that he doesn't want to be a parent.
ReplyDelete2.) No, I don't think there is anything morally problematic with his decision because he doesn't want to be a parent and he has a right to make that decision, we all have that right to make that decision. He is just choosing not to be a parent.
1. I don't think that Dr. H should accede Gregory X's request. Although it is unfortunate that Gregory cannot afford the procedure anywhere, Dr. H should stick to his moral reservations. It is indeed the most important duty of a physician to take care of the health of the patient, but a vasectomy is not a "life-or-death" situation/procedure so Dr. H can choose (in good conscience) not to perform the surgery.
ReplyDelete2. I don't think that there is anything morally problematic with Gregory's request. He has the right, as anyone else, to have the procedure done. There are other options to have children should he change his mind in the future. The only thing that I can foresee as being morally problematic is him not informing a potential wife beforehand that he had a vasectomy.
In response to your first answer, is it fair that the doctor should make that decision for the patient? Let's say, hypothetically, that some day you wanted to get your tubes tied, but there was only a single doctor whose price you could afford. You're certain at the time that you will not want children at all in the future, but the doctor says he will not do this procedure for you because you might some day have a husband who will want children, which will hurt your relationship. Would you be okay with allowing this doctor to make your decision for you?
DeleteI think he should respect his decision. I understand why the doctor may be concerned about his patient’s future partners, but then again I think that Gregory would, hopefully, choose someone that would be supportive in his decision and actually share the same belief. I definitely think the doctor should let Gregory of the risks, which I’m sure he knows, but he may need a reminder. I know that I will be placed in situations where I would want to state my personal opinions and not do things/ perform things because of what I personally think is best, but I know I need to do what will make my patient the most happy- and that’s listening, understanding, and doing their wishes. Something that people may consider as wrong is that he is altering the body that God gave him, but personally I don’t see it as any different than someone getting a tattoo, or another physical change.
ReplyDelete1. Yes, Dr. H should accede to Gregory X’s request despite his reservations. Gregory is just another patient, and Dr. H is nothing more than his doctor. His personal feelings should not intervene with the patient’s wishes.
ReplyDelete2. I can see how this situation would be viewed as morally problematic. Gregory X may, later in his life, meet and fall in love with a woman who wants children. I believe, though, that the woman he spends his life with will need to share in his views. His future partner must be someone that doesn't ever wish to have children as well. Any other relationship was not meant to be as their views will eventually clash. Gregory, for the present, is independent and in charge of his own body. As a result, he should be able to do as he pleases.
why do you believe its a man decesions
DeleteI feel as though Dr. H should accede to Gregory's request to have a vasectomy because it isn't a procedure that is changing his appearance or gender, or something irreversible. Dr. H should, however, express his concern to Gregory about him being young and that it is reversible but not one hundred percent of the time. Dr. H should advise him to visit a sperm bank and have his sperm frozen for just incase he ends up regretting the decision and the reversal procedure doesn't end up working.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that there is anything morally problematic about Gregory's decision as long as he has been properly informed and weighed the pros and cons.
1) Dr H should perform the surgery because it is his job and thats what he is paid to do. After he gave his opinion and Gregory was still wanting to go through with the procedure then Dr H should respect his wishes and do so. Its not like Gregory is making a decision on emotion and has not thought about it. He has been weighing the options for several years now.
ReplyDelete2) There isnt anything morally wrong about Gregorys request. He doesnt want to have children its his choice and its his life. If he has gone this far into the process then Im sure is has thought about a future wife and still feels like this is the best option.
1) I believe that Dr. H should go on with the procedure, only because that is the patient's request. Dr. H did his job with providing alternate solutions but should still respect his request.
ReplyDelete2) I do not believe there is anything morally wrong with Gregory's request. If he does not want to have any children then that's the choice he can make.
1. I believe the doctor should accede to the patient's request since it should not be up to him what the patient wishes in respect to fairly safe and personal surgery. To do otherwise would be forcing the doctor's personal morality upon another.
ReplyDelete2. I do not believe there is a moral problem associated with the patient's request. While it certainly may become a conflict if he lies/doesn't inform a future wife of his condition until after marriage and she does not agree with the decision, as long as the patient is up front concerning his condition it shouldn't be a problem - they would either get married anyways or part ways as incompatible.
1. I believe that the doctor should consent to what the patient is requesting. The patient is capable of making his own decision as to whether or not it will affect his potential future wife. I don't believe that the doctor should make that decision for him, unless it was a life-threatening decision or if it would harm the patient in some way.
ReplyDelete2. I do not think that the patient's decision is morally wrong. He may not even get married in the future, so his decision may not end up impacting someone else other than himself. And if the patient were to find someone in the future, I would assume that the "girlfriend" would make the decision for herself if she'd want to marry someone who couldn't have children with her. Also, there are other ways to have children, which could also be taken into account if this patient were to find someone in the future.
1. I think that Dr. H should perform the surgery on Gregory. Well all make decisions, and if he is sure enough about something as serious as a vasectomy, then I'd say he's taking into account all of the possibilities and he has decided he never wants the responsibility of being a father.
ReplyDelete2. I do agree with the Dr. for talking about the feelings of a possible future wife of Gregory's who would have no say about the sterilization decision, but that is just an obstacle that Gregory will have to deal with.
1. I do not see anything wrong with the mans request of a vasectomy, though I don't support his decision... it is just that his decision he is choosing to live with. He strongly expresses his want to not want children, though the doctors disagrees it is not his body to make the choice.
ReplyDelete2. I will agree with the Doctors push for the potential wife conversation, it gave him the consequences or negative outcomes of the surgery, just like any other surgery has side effects. The doctor his just doing his job in informing him of the side affects and tough conversations ahead.
1 i see nothing wrong with this request this is the easiest prompt we have discussed so far as a man if women have the rights to abortion we should also in a sense
ReplyDelete2 no i disagree with the doctor he is out of line and maybe the guys spawn could potentially be serial killers who knows