'Utilitarian Vs. Deontology In The Film Extreme Measures'

In the 1997 film Extreme Measures a young British doctor, Guy Luthan, who is serving a residency in a New York hospital, is faced with some difficult moral and professional dilemmas. This film used Dr. Luthan's dilemmas, which dealt with these sensitive issues of doing what is right regardless of the consequences involved, as well as questions involving scientific advancement and experimentation. How far can medicine go in the name of progress or helping humanity? Dr. Luthan discovers that homeless people were being used as guinea pigs in experimental research for the good of humanity.

The most recent survey of homeless individuals conducted January 29, 2014 revealed 958 homeless adults with no dependants, 70 of which were completely unsheltered, and an additional 130 homeless adults who also had dependent children with them. 208 of these homeless adults are chronically homeless (HUD’s 2014 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs, Populations, and Subpopulations, 2014).Wayside Christian Mission reaches approximately 7,000 homeless individuals annually (Wayside Christian Mission, 2007). In the Journal of General Internal Medicine, a majority of homeless individuals surveyed stated that they felt discriminated against or that they received lesser care because of their poverty or homelessness (Wen, Hudak, & Hwang, 2007). Homeless and impoverished individuals suffer from high rates of depression, psychiatric illness, alcohol and or substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, TB, Trauma, preterm birth, COPD, low birth weight, musculoskeletal problems, decreased access to care, foot problems, malnutrition, and high Emergency Room utilization (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Not only do homeless persons have a high rate of illness, but they are also less able to appropriately treat health problems. Many homeless individuals have limited access to care, cannot afford medications or nutritious food, and may have difficulty with managing a strict

Today’s culture includes a melting pot of struggling people. Regardless of their background, it can be assumed that they constantly grapple with the meaning of life. With postmodern ideas stressing individualism and nonconformity, it is no wonder why so many people feel lost. The mystery is not how we came to this predicament, but how Phillip K. dick and Ridely Scott predicted these outcome decades in advance.

The morality of euthanasia from an extreme utilitarian perspective means acting on what’s best for the vast majority based on one’s particular actions. The morality of euthanasia is determining what is considered to be wrong and right in the eyes of someone with a utilitarian perspective.

I agree with you that it is hard to see doctors, nurses, and other staffs would willing go out their spares time to help these homelessness individual. It is really rare to see that because Boston is such a busy city. After watching this, I truely proud living in Boston with a lot of great services for everyone. About a month ago, I remembered reading in the Metro News about Boston building a shelter home for the homeless men. The new shelter on Southampton Street and it will offer over 400 beds and many services that will help these men get back on their feet. Boston is also planning to help to end homeless veteran by 2015 and chronic homeless by 2018 (WCVB News, 2015).

"Many homeless individuals, despite their situation, are very guarded when it comes to accepting help of any kind," he says, "but Dr. Withers has been able to connect with the community through his patience, compassion and care."(Young). Another difficulty was finding a cure to some of the more difficult cases. Withers tried to treat an eighty five year old man who slept next to dumpsters and had open wounds on his leg and some filled with maggots. Withers was flabbergasted. He looked for a solution for the man and for other doctors who are looking for a cure.

Traditionally, the physician was expected to use all of their talents and training in an effort to save the life of their patient, no matter the odds. More recently, the physician’s role has been redefined to preserve the autonomy of the patient. Now physicians must give life saving care only in so far and to the degree desirous of the competent patient.

I agree with what Diego has said, to add on I would like to say that the family cannot force the homeless to receive treatment because the homeless has the right to refuse treatment if he is competent and if he is incompetent it would still arise an ethical issue. In the book self-determinism is defined as "the right to choose one's own health-recommended by health professionals" (Boyd, pg.17). The homeless has the right to refuse and sort of treatment offered to him. His rights are under ethical issues. If the homeless is competent he will be able to make a decision because the homeless understands the information that the family gives to him. If the homeless is not competent then forcing the treatment is still questionable because it would

“Stories from the shadows” are a collection of stories told by Dr. James O’Connell, physician and president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. The book is a snapshot of the encounters and people Dr. O’Connell has engaged in while treating the homeless population in Boston. The stories illustrate the complex task of caring for the homeless but also display the strength of these patients and the people who care for them. “Homelessness poses daunting challenges to health, including poor nutrition and hygiene; exposure to extreme weather, injury, violence, and communicable diseases; and the constant stress of being on the move. Homeless individuals, often suffering from multiple diseases, live sicker and die younger than the general

I realize that the most capable physicians can heal because they have been sick and are able to fix because of their own brokenness. In other words, adversity builds character and changes people for the better. In my case, my disadvantaged upbringing has made me a better person, son, father and potentially a better public servant. After my parents divorced in 2000, my mother and I moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where we struggled to get by. Enduring that hardship with her changed me from an early age. Some nights I stayed at my best friend’s apartment, because we had no electricity. In a sense, this deprivation allowed me to mature and understand that in life you must sacrifice for a larger

health workers are helping the homeless, children and families get the medical attention that they need. I believe this issue should decrease with the help of more people giving these sick people a chance. There are some homeless shelters and places the homeless can go, but it’s not enough space or resources to help them all. The shelters can only do so much to help with basic necessities. Another issue is, if health care was available to everyone this topic and issue would not be so fragile. The homeless and the families in this documentary all have one thing in common, no access to health care. Without the doctors going around helping, these people would have no way to get better. The Hispanic man would not have received help to take

In the ethical case studies of the Korean and of the manic, the working philosopher used utilitarian and Kantian arguments to resolve a patient dilemma. Utilitarianism justifies acts based on maximizing human happiness. This can be done by the act itself such as going to the movies for pleasure, or by following a rule if the rule was put in place to bring about the greatest amount of human happiness. Kantian ethics recognizes that human beings, whether thyself or another person, can never be a means, just an end. People have a right to choose their own fate even if that means it goes against their happiness or welfare. Meaning a patient can choose to halt healthcare, even if by doing so it will bring about his death.

Once the consequentialist discussed his concerns and philosophy about the thought provoking matter, the deontologist stands from the bench, pulls out his wallet, and shares a prized picture of Immanuel Kant. While the consequentialist and virtue ethicist look over the photo, the deontologist begins with, “(I)f I were Immanuel Kant, here is what I would have to say about the topic of euthanasia”, “suicide and asking for euthanasia do not show respect for our own rationality; they do not treat it as an end in itself” (Lacewing, n.d., p.3). The deontologist goes on to communicate about his philosophy, we all have a perfect duty to not kill, not deceive, and keep promises. These are the responsibility of deontology. Therefore, we all must stay

Describe the main principles of the two normative ethical theories of deontology and utilitarianism. Compare and contrast the two theories, bringing out any problems or limitations you see in each.

The theory of Utilitarianism states that actions should be judged as right or wrong depending on whether they cause more happiness or unhappiness. It weighs the rightness and wrongness of an action based on consequences of that action.