Category Archives: bioethics

Organ Donation by Death Row Inmates – Get Ready to Start Hearing More About How it’s “Good” for Everyone

Art Caplan, Ben Goldhirsh, bioethics, crime and punishment, death penalty, Dylan Ratigan, Eric Meslin, good magazine, Graeme Wood, Kevorkian, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Wesley Smith

Wesley Smith has two related pieces on an op-ed by a death row prisoner that was published in the NY Times on March 6th.  Christian Longo, who admits to being guilty of killing his wife and three children, wrote to the newspaper to promote voluntary organ donation by death row prisoners. In Wesley’s first blog … Continue reading Organ Donation by Death Row Inmates – Get Ready to Start Hearing More About How it’s “Good” for Everyone →

Important Legal Victory for People Under Guardianship in Pennsylvania

"end of life", amicus brief, Art Caplan, betancourt v. trinitas, bioethics, futile care, litigation, Our News & Commentary Blog, Pennsylvania, Surrogate Decisions & Guardianship, Wisconsin

Last month, there was an important legal victory for people under guardianship in Pennsylvania.  The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued its ruling in the matter of D.L.H.  This appeal was made by the guardians of a man with developmental disabilities.  As reported in this 2009 blog entry, a lower court severely limited a guardian’s power … Continue reading Important Legal Victory for People Under Guardianship in Pennsylvania →

Three recommended reads: Bill Peace on “Ashley and Me,” L Syd M Johnson critque of Jacob Appel on PVS and April Michelle Herndon on the “Magic Pill” Question

Ashley X, bioethics, blog recommendations, cure, glbt, Hastings Center, Our News & Commentary Blog, pvs, william peace

I’m extremely ambivalent about the Hastings Center.  The interactions I have had with this bioethics entity have been both cordial – and very limited.  Periodically, the Center seems to take an interest in hearing something from disability advocates and activists, but after they’ve engaged in a small token effort, move on and appear to be … Continue reading Three recommended reads: Bill Peace on “Ashley and Me,” L Syd M Johnson critque of Jacob Appel on PVS and April Michelle Herndon on the “Magic Pill” Question →

Long Discussion on Kevorkian and Related Topics with Stephen Hand

assisted suicide, bioethics, blogtalkradio, euthanasia, Kevorkian, Our News & Commentary Blog, Peter Singer, Stephen Hand

On Saturday Morning, I was a guest of Stephen Hand on his show on blogtalkradio.  It was a long discussion that covered topics such as the recent positive media attention being given to Jack Kevorkian, mostly being stage-managed by HBO and CNN, which are both properties of Time-Warner.  We also talked about Peter Singer, bioethics … Continue reading Long Discussion on Kevorkian and Related Topics with Stephen Hand →

Disability and Ethics Conference This Weekend – Low Expectations Based on Past Performance

"end of life", activism, alicia ouellette, bioethics, conferences, haleigh poutre, Our News & Commentary Blog, politics, schiavo

On July 13, 2006, about 40 disability activists protested a bioethics conference in Albany, NY.  The picture above shows 7 of the protesters (there were about 40 in total) who successfully invaded the conference, holding signs and chanting “Nothing About Us Without Us!” Here’s an excerpt from our flyer for the protest: Disability activists are … Continue reading Disability and Ethics Conference This Weekend – Low Expectations Based on Past Performance →