1. Introduction to Bioethics Learning Objectives (SWBAT) Students will be able to engage in respectful dialogue to come to a group decision about a conflict. SWBAT distinguish between different ethical principles and apply them to an ethical dilemma.

2. Scenario A newly evolved strain of deadly bacteria has recently emerged and is spreading through the human population. The bacteria is resistant to nearly all antibiotics and has a very high death rate (over 75% of those infected die). Only one antibiotic is effective against the disease.

3. TASK The following people in your community have become infected with the deadly bacteria, but there is not enough antibiotics to go around. There is only enough of the special medicine for seven people. You need to decide which of the people below will be given the antibiotic treatment. Research technician that makes the antibiotic. 58 year-old Mayor of community affected. Pregnant mother and her 2 year old child. Nurse working as a public health specialist. Grandmother of 17 grandchildren. Emergency responder. Young married couple. 16 year-old twins

4. Directions In teams, discuss who you think should get the antibiotic treatments. Be respectful of others viewpoints and encourage everyone to share their ideas. Come to a group decision as to who will get antibiotics. Remember, only 7 people can receive the antibiotic treatment and those that do not get the treatment have a 75% chance of death. Make a list that shows who will get the antibiotics and a separate list that shows who will not get the antibiotic treatments. For each person in the community, provide a brief written explanation justifying your decision to provide (or not provide) the antibiotics.

5. Team Reports & Class Discussion

6. NOTES Write definitions in your packet

7. Ethics: a way to make decisions that attempts to determine the best course of action in the face of conflicting choices.

8. Ethical decisions try to balance: Doing good (beneficence) Not doing harm (non-malificence) Justice Autonomy(respect)

9. Doing good (beneficence) How can we do the most good? Examine the different solutions…which would accomplish the most good? Not doing harm (non-malificence) How can we do the least harm? What kinds of harms might arise from different solutions?

10. Justice What would be fair? Equal is not always fair. How can we treat others equitably? Making sure the “vulnerable” party is safe. Autonomy(respect) People have right to participate in decisions that influence them. How can we respect people and their right to make their own choices?

11. DISCUSSION & REFLECTION

12. Fact or Fiction Although the scenario is fictitious, ‘superbugs’ or bacteria that have evolved resistance to antibiotics is very real. Diseases such as MRSA (staph infections), tuberculosis and more recently NDM-1 are all examples of strains of bacteria that are antibiotic resistant.

13. A new example: the Heinz Dilemma Mr. Heinz is normally a law-abiding man. One day, his wife becomes gravely ill. Heinz takes her to the doctor, who prescribes a medication for her. She does quite well on this medication and begins to recover. However, Heinz has no insurance and runs out of money quickly paying for the expensive medication. After a few months, he can no longer purchase the medication and his wife begins to take a turn for the worse. One day, he is in the pharmacy and notices that no one is behind the counter. The medication is in plain view. Should he steal the medication to help his sick wife?

14. Complete… The Heinz dilemma: 1. What should Mr. Heinz do? 2. For each of the different ethical principles, Do good / Do no harm / Justice / Autonomy, evaluate the different possible resolutions. In other words: What do you think Heinz should do? Please justify your position using all 4 ethical principles. *Write your response in your journal.