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Hastings Bioethics Forum

An online publication of topical bioethics commentary

Hastings Bioethics Forum publishes commentaries on topical issues in bioethics.
Susan Gilbert, Editor. For questions about contributing, contact gilberts@thehastingscenter.org.

Clinical Ethics Cases for Hastings Bioethics Forum: This is series of essays about real clinical ethics cases written by clinical ethicists. Learn how to contribute.

Hastings Bioethics Forum essays are the opinions of the authors, not of The Hastings Center for Bioethics.

Bioethics Forum Essay

What Really Causes Autism and What We Should Do About It

There are crucial questions about what causes autism and how to prevent and address it.
Read What Really Causes Autism and What We Should Do About It
Bioethics Forum Essay
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Let’s Not Erase the History of Medical Ethics

If there is one thing that characterizes good history, it is transparency. Even if one objects to the intense focus on acknowledging diversity, equity, and inclusion over the past several years, erasing what you may not agree with is not the answer.
Read Let’s Not Erase the History of Medical Ethics
Bioethics Forum Essay
Clinical Case Studies card

He Said, “I Want to Live.” But He Refused Care

His refusal did not appear to reflect a deeply held opposition to treatment but rather discomfort and distrust in the healthcare system.
Read He Said, “I Want to Live.” But He Refused Care
Bioethics Forum Essay
photo of woman surrounded by androids

Between Ishiguros

“Humans grow and evolve using science and technology,” Hiroshi Ishiguro remarked. “That is what makes us human. I believe it is the responsibility of people today to create and design our own future.” When asked about the role of his android robots he has replied, “Companions.”
Read Between Ishiguros
Bioethics Forum Essay
pig heart transplantation

Ethical Considerations for First-In-Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials

The first clinical trial transplanting gene-edited pig kidneys into humans could start this year. They raise important ethical issues.
Read Ethical Considerations for First-In-Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials
Bioethics Forum Essay
fragments of gold on a wood background

Gold Dust

The United States has never had a situation in which political and ideological nonscientists got the last word about what is credible science. The direct political oversight of science represented in the gold standard currency is not sound.
Read Gold Dust
Bioethics Forum Essay
hand with stethoscope on pregnant belly

Tennessee’s Inappropriate Reliance on Conscientious Objection

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means,” Inigo Montoya to Vizzini in The Princess Bride Imagine this scenario: You are newly...
Read Tennessee’s Inappropriate Reliance on Conscientious Objection
Bioethics Forum Essay
red words saying clinical evidence

The Scientific Good Guys: Let’s Save the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force  

The news that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. cancelled the July 10 meeting of the United States Preventive Services Task Force—and may seek to change its...
Read The Scientific Good Guys: Let’s Save the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force  
Bioethics Forum Essay
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Collecting Migrant Children’s DNA: A Troubling, but Predictable, Trend in the U.S.

Recent reports reveal that the U.S. government is systematically collecting DNA from migrant children, some as young as 4 years old, and storing it (perhaps indefinitely) in the FBI’s national...
Read Collecting Migrant Children’s DNA: A Troubling, but Predictable, Trend in the U.S.
Bioethics Forum Essay
woman testing blood with diabetes strip

Sweet Vindication for Stem Cell Research, and American Science

A small group of people with a severe form of type 1 diabetes have been successfully treated with pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. This moment should not pass without recognition of the historical context.
Read Sweet Vindication for Stem Cell Research, and American Science
Bioethics Forum Essay
younger white woman helping older white woman to walk

Doing Right by Family Caregivers During Discharge Planning

As family caregivers who are everywhere yet overlooked in aging societies worldwide, we ponder and discuss this question as bioethicists: “Who cast me in this role?”
Read Doing Right by Family Caregivers During Discharge Planning
Bioethics Forum Essay
baby feet of white baby in hospital

Whole Genome Newborn Sequencing Should Not Be a Free-for-all

Tens of thousands of parents have enrolled their newborns in whole genome sequencing research projects. Parents should know what they information from this research can and cannot tell them.
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Bioethics Forum Archive

Hastings Bioethics Forum essays are the opinions of the authors, not of The Hastings Center.

How to reprint/repost: Hastings Bioethics Forum posts can be republished for free. We use a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives license.

How to contribute: For questions about contributing to Hastings Bioethics Forum or to submit a commentary, please contact Susan Gilbert, editor, gilberts@thehastingscenter.org.