Deck 8: The Ethics of Treating Impaired Babies

Question 1

In regard to the Baby Doe Rules and Baby Doe Squads, it is TRUE that:

A) The Squads proved cases of discrimination.
B) The Squads altered the treatment of some babies.
C) The Squads still exist today.
D) The Baby Doe Rules were upheld by the United States Supreme Court.
E) Surgeon General C. Everett Koop opposed these Rules.

Answer 1

The Squads altered the treatment of some babies.

Question 2

The Baby Doe Rules creatively interpreted the previously passed Civil Rights Law by claiming that:

A) Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was child abuse.
B) Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was homicide.
C) Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was discrimination against handicapped Americans.
D) Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was a battery.
E) Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was a tort.

Answer 2

Not treating babies with Down syndrome and spina bifida was discrimination against handicapped Americans.

Question 3

The concept of wrongful life does not imply or assume:

A) That life can be a tort.
B) That in some cases, killing a person can benefit him.
C) That a life of total suffering without hope of change is not a benefit or value.
D) Only B and C.
E) A, B, and C.

Answer 3

A, B, and C.

Question 4

Which of the following is a FALSE statement about the overall effect of two decades of ethical activity treating impaired and "handicapped" newborns?

A) Fewer Down babies die today than at the time of the Johns Hopkins cases.
B) Fewer spina bifida babies die today than at the time of the Johns Hopkins cases.
C) Parents have a smaller range of decisions or choices about treatment in such cases.
D) Physicians have a smaller range of decisions or choices about treatment in such cases.
E) As a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and hospital ethics committees, most impaired newborns are "seriously under-treated."