Open up and say ... well, whatever you want
Welcome to To Your Health, a new N&R blog covering health and medical issues. I'm Lex Alexander, the N&R's health and medical reporter. That is not my picture up there at the top, in case you were wondering.
As do most bloggers, I'd like this to be a conversation. In this case, that'll be essential. I have basically zero background in health and medical affairs, so my learning curve needs to be pretty steep at this point. (Points in my favor: I know the difference between hypothesis and theory and know what a learning curve actually is.)
It's not like there are no interesting topics in this area, so let's get to it, shall we?
Comments (3)
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"Open up an say . . . well, whatever you want".
Already have.
But the story of a local doctor being drummed our of her own hometown for doing the right thing didn't register with the journalists covering health and medical issues in our area.
Posted on September 6, 2007 12:30 AM
A woman is murdered and the fetus dies but in NC the murderer can only be charged with one count of murder. If the fetus had lived for six months and then died of complications from its pre-mature birth, could it's mothers killer then be charged with a second count of murder?
If the fetus lived, how long afterwards would it have to live before it's legal status is changed from tissue (or animal) to that of human? If it is given human status immediately, then would not the existing outside the womb be the legal requirement for being considered human?
If that is so, then would not a fetus removed from the womb before death during abortion be immediately granted human rights and both the doctor and mother would be considered murderers? If not, then would not the criteria for being human be based more on the mother's intent?
If it is then based on intent, then would not the teenager who disposes of her newborn in a trashcan in the women's room while attending a high school dance clearly demonstrate she did not intend for the child to live and therefore not be quilty of murderer?
If human status is gauged on the ability to maintain life outside of the womb, would a person, say thirty-five, injured in an accident, who has to be hooked to a life-support system, still be considered human?
I know these question deal with ethics but I assume because of your lack of trainning in medicine your blog would be more issue oriented that substance. Ethics are a important part of medicine and has recently been highlighted in the controversy over doctors being present at executions.
If these ethics questions are too difficult to handle, then explain the difference between co-pay and deductables.
Posted on September 6, 2007 7:40 AM
Dale: Those are good questions, and I look forward to seeing the discussion they engender.
Posted on September 7, 2007 10:14 AM