Ethics in Health Care

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE MISSION OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTOR 1. Ethical Mission of the Christian Doctor General Ethical Responsibilities Some Specific Responsibilities Responsibility for Accurate Diagnosis Responsibility for Skilled Treatment Responsibility for Professional Care Responsibility for Privacy Responsibility regarding Xrays and Case Histories Responsibility regarding Patient Intangibility and Informed Conset Responsibility regarding Information of Imminent Death 2. Spiritual Mission of the Doctor 3. Pastoral Mission ot the Doctor CHAPTERTWO WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEMS 1. What the Magisterium Teaches 2. What Tradition Says 3. What Contemporary Theologians Affirm 4. What Physicians, Courts, and People Think 5. What Theological Reasons Point to Meaning of Inviolability of Human Life Notion of a Dying Patient ArtificialNutrition-Hydrationas Medical Procedure Right to Die with Dignity Ordinary and Extraordinary Means Withdrawal of Artificial Nutrition-Hydration versus Euthanasia Scarce Resources and Care Answer to Objections 6. Care of Hopelessly III Patients CHAPTERTHREE SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE BABY: TO LIVE OR LET DIE? 83-101 1. Medical Considerations 2.Moral Reflections 3.Pastoral Observations CHAPTERFOUR AMNIOCENTESIS 103-110 1. Introductory Observations 2. Ethical Aspects of Sex Selection 3. Pastoral Considerations CHAPTER FIVE PREVENTION OF AIDS AND USE OF CONDOMS 111-131