Medical Tests and the Ethical Implications Associated with It - Case Study Example

MEDICAL TESTS – THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ITMedical tests- the ethical implications associated with itCamilla is a 14 year old teenager, who shouldn’t be forced to go for the test if she doesn’t want to. As responsible citizens, her parents have a moral duty to respect her decision and she has a moral right to decide what’s right for her and what’s not. However Camilla should realize that even though she doesn’t want to get labeled as a positive hemophilia carrier, she should get herself tested so that she can protect the future of her kids.

The ethical theories that apply in this case are:1. Act utilitarianism2. KantianismAct utilitarianism applies because in this case, Camilla’s act will determine what the future consequences are. According to act utilitarianism it is our duty to act in a way that will produce better consequences. If Camilla decides to get herself tested, then this act of hers will definitely produce better results, mainly in the form of her protecting the future of her kids (Scarre, 1996). Another important point which should be noted here is that, according to act utilitarianism, the correctness of an act should be judged by the consequence.

Thus even if the act of forcing Camilla is wrong on the moral front, the consequence of it is not. If her parents force her to take the test, the good consequence that will come out of it in the form of Camilla taking extra care when planning her kids, will nullify the negativity of the way she was forced to take the test (Smart, 1973). The other ethical principle, which applies in this case in Kantianism. It states that an action, which makes you happy, may not be necessarily morally right or wrong.

Thus we should determine right and wrong internally through autonomy and self law. The individual himself should determine what he wants to do, which is what Camilla should do. According to Kantianism, Camilla should not go and get her tests done just because the consequences of it would be right. But she should get the tests done because it is right to do so. Kantianism is not consequential. Actions depend on a person’s motive and intentions. Camilla does not want to be labeled as a positive hemophilia carrier.

She views this as a negative consequence. However, according to Kantianism, what she should focus on is why she wants to get the test done, not what would be the outcome. She should focus on the fact that if she gets the tests done right now, she will be better prepared to look after her kids later on in life. Thus for the safety and well being of her kids, she should go and get her tests done. However, she should do it only because she thinks its right and not because someone else is forcing her to do so (Wood, 2008).

ConclusionAfter reviewing the ethical dilemma presented in the light of the ethical theories, it can be concluded that Camilla should definitely take the test. However it should be noted that she does it on her own accord, and not because she was forced to do so by her parents. If Camilla doesn’t think it fit that she needs the test, then her parents should respect her decision and not force her to take it. REFERENCES1. Scarre G. (1996), Utilitarianism. Routeledge 2. Smart J. J. C. (1973).

Utilitarianism; for and against. Cambridge University Press3. Wood A. W. (2008). Kantian Ethics. Cambridge University Press