Description: PART 1. Medical Decision Making ISSUE 1. Is Informed Consent Still Central to Medical Ethics? YES: Robert M. Arnold and Charles W. Lidz, from "Informed Consent: Clinical Aspects of Consent in Health Care," in Warren T. Reich, ed., Encyclopedia of Bioethics, vol. 3, rev. ed. (Simon & Schuster, 1995) NO: Robert M. Veatch, from "Abandoning Informed Consent," Hastings Center Report (MarchApril 1995) Physician Robert M. Arnold and professor of psychiatry and sociology Charles W. Lidz assert that informed consent in clinical care is anessential process that promotes good communication and patient autonomy despite the obstacles of implementation. Professor of medical ethics Robert M. Veatch argues that informed consent is a transitional concept that is useful only for moving toward amore radical framework in which physicians and patients are paired on the basis of shared deep social, moral, and institutional values. ISSUE 2. Can Family Interests Ethically Outweigh Patient Autonomy? YES: John Hardwig, from "What About the Family?" Hastings Center Report (MarchApril 1990) NO: Jeffrey Blustein, from "The Family in Medical Decisionmaking," Hastings Center Report (MayJune 1993) John Hardwig, an associate professor of medical ethics, argues that the prevalent ethic of patient autonomy ignores family interests inmedical treatment decisions. He maintains that physicians should recognize these interests as legitimate. Bioethicist Jeffrey Blustein contends that although families can be an important resource in helping patients make better decisions abouttheir care, the ultimate decision-making authority should remain with the patient. ISSUE 3. Does Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Medication Enhance Patient Autonomy? YES: Alan F. Holmer, from "Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertising Builds Bridges Between Patients and Physicians," Journal of the American Medical Association (January 27, 1999) NO: Matthew F. Hollon, from "Direct-to-Consumer Marketing of Prescription Drugs," Journal of the American Medical Association (January 27, 1999) Alan F. Holmer, an attorney and head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, argues that advertising of medication empowers consumers by educating them about health conditions and possible treatments. Matthew F. Hollon, a physician, believes that advertising of medication is designed to increase consumer demand, rather than for educational purposes, and has little public health value. PART 2. Death and Dying ISSUE 4. Are Some Advance Directives Too Risky for Patients? YES: Christopher James Ryan, from "Betting Your Life: An Argument Against Certain Advance Directives," Journal of Medical Ethics (vol. 22, 1996) NO: Steven Luttrell and Ann Sommerville, from "Limiting Risks by Curtailing Rights: A Response to Dr. Ryan," Journal of Medical Ethics (vol. 22, 1996) Psychiatrist Christopher James Ryan argues that advance directives that refuse active treatment in situations when a patient's incompetenceis potentially reversible should be abolished because healthy people are likely to underestimate their desire for treatment should they becomeill. Geriatricians Steven Luttrell and Ann Sommerville assert that respect for the principle of autonomy requires that individuals be permittedto make risky choices about their own lives and that ignoring autonomous choices made by competent adults reinstates the outmoded notion of medicalpaternalism. ISSUE 5. Should Physicians Be Allowed to Assist in Patien

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