1. Utilitarian Bioethics

2. What is it?  Recommends directing medical resources where they will do the most long-term effect for good  Decisions are made based upon an individual’s future productive potential (& happiness)  Productivity must supersede expenditure Value is a zero-sum game Value is a zero-sum game $100 example$100 example

3. To exemplify:  Nurse or doctor caring for an Alzheimer’s / or terminal patient is “wasting” resources No chance for productive/happy life No chance for productive/happy life  Better spent caring for a sick baby or 20- year-old gunshot victim Again, productivity is the measuring stick Again, productivity is the measuring stick

4. Benefits  Resources are spent where they can be most beneficial to society (as a whole)  Overall increase in productivity and happiness  Less taxing on limited resources

5. Potential downsides:  What is “happiness”?  Doctors play God  Bigotry against the “feeble” Retarded, handicapped, generally sick Retarded, handicapped, generally sick  Lack of scientific progress Why explore cures for cancer? Why explore cures for cancer?

6. Futile medical care:  Where there is no hope, there should be no course of treatment  Different from euthanasia Does not hasten, speed or encourage death Does not hasten, speed or encourage death  Laws are currently being explored: Futile Care Law (Texas) Futile Care Law (Texas)