Category Archives: bioethics

A “Must-Read” From Ezekiel Emanuel on Better “End of Life” Care

Right-Wing politics often leave me at a loss for words.  The attacks aimed at Ezekiel Emanuel before and after the passage of what is commonly called “Obamacare” is one of the most bizarre examples.  At the time, Emanuel was Special Advisor for Health Policy to Peter Orszag, acting director of OMB. Emanuel struck me as … Continue reading A “Must-Read” From Ezekiel Emanuel on Better “End of Life” Care

Bioethicist Endorses Mass. Assisted Suicide Bill in a Sloppy and Intellectually Lazy Essay

Art Caplan has an opinion piece that came out yesterday – and it’s linked from just about every conceivable place on NBC and MSNBC.  It’s an endorsement of the proposed legalization of assisted suicide on the ballot in Massachusetts.  While disappointing, it’s not that big a surprise; Caplan has been sliding toward this unqualified endorsement … Continue reading Bioethicist Endorses Mass. Assisted Suicide Bill in a Sloppy and Intellectually Lazy Essay

NY Law School – Justice Action Center’s Upcoming Annual Justice Symposium Not Fair to Disability Advocates, Let Alone “Just”

On Friday, November 16th, the Justice Action Center, part of New York Law School, is presenting a symposium titled ” Freedom of Choice at the End of Life –Patients’ Rights in a Shifting Legal and Political Landscape.” It would be understandable if you thought that this was actually an event planned and presented by Compassion … Continue reading NY Law School – Justice Action Center’s Upcoming Annual Justice Symposium Not Fair to Disability Advocates, Let Alone “Just”

Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum

This is kind of old news by now, but it should be of interest to anyone who read previous posts on this topic.  I’d also urge anyone who hasn’t read Bill Peace’s essay to do so, along with the commentary posted on the Bioethics Forum at the Hastings Center Site. Just to refresh people’s memories … Continue reading Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum

New Bill Peace-Related Response – ‘Who would want a child like that?’

There’s an interesting new response to Bill Peace’s essay in the Hastings Center Report in which Bill described a very disturbing late-night visit by a physician while Bill was hospitalized for care and complications relating to a stage IV skin breakdown.  An excerpt has been posted as a comment on Bill’s response to invited reactions … Continue reading New Bill Peace-Related Response – ‘Who would want a child like that?’