Chapter 3 Reading Goals

  • Explain how moral status is important for the ethical practice of medicine and medical research.
  • Understand the features, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the five theories of moral status.
  • Explain how the five theories can be brought together constructively for the purposes of biomedical ethics.
  • Be able to evaluate proposed guidelines for combing criteria that confer status.
  • Explain the roles of sympathy and impartiality in conferring moral status.
  • Explain the role that moral status plays in protecting vulnerable persons.
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