4-5 pages. Doublespaced.

Discuss either the case of "Parental Preferences and a Child's Involvement in a Randomized Clinical Trial," (on handout, also available outside my office door in brown envelope) or the following case.
 
 

Mr. and Mrs. C are accepted by an in vitro fertilization clinic. Six ova are harvested from Mrs. C, three are implanted in Mrs. C, and the other three frozen. On the way back from the clinic, after implantation, Mr. and Mrs. C are killed in an automobile accident. The next of kin who would inherit in the event that Mr. and Mrs. C failed to have children ask to be declared heirs and have the remaining three frozen embryos discarded. However, three women volunterr to receive the embryos.

Grammar and spelling are important. Persistent errors will be penalized. Be sure that your use of any technical terms is correct. You can refer to any books you want, but any quotations must be clearly referenced.

Suppose you are an ethicist called in to help in this case. You are asked to write a short report. You should not put in your own personal opinions unless you have to. Your job is to give a professional opinion. What would you advise? In your answer, you should address the following (if applicable):
 

• Why does the situation described pose an ethical problem for the people involved, as opposed to a practical, legal, or technical problem? Explain what ethical principles are relevant to the case, how they apply to the case, and whether they conflict with each other. Are the ethical principles you mention generally accepted or controversial?
• What are the main options available to the individuals involved? You should only include realistic options, and you may find it useful to explain why the options you are setting out might be useful. You should think creatively to suggest options that are not mentioned in the text.
• What legal issues are relevant to making the decision?
• What further information would be useful in making your decision? For example, do you need more details about the patient, his/her family, medical procedures and the risks that they carry, or the social services that are available? Who would you ask to get this information?
• Who should be consulted in the decision-making process, and who has the rights or responsibilities to make the final decision?
• Consider the reported reasoning of people in the case. Is their reasoning well-argued? Do you agree with it or not? Explain.
• What decision would you recommend? Explain why you believe this decision is more reasonable than any other.

For either of these questions, you may want to do research about the issues. Your answer can devote more space to discussion of the general issues involved in the case than in previous take-home exams.

I will be available for discussion of your exam on Thursday April 9. My office hours are 4-6 pm and I can see you earlier as well.