The purpose of this assignment is for you to write your own Personal Code of Ethics (PCE) on
the various issues covered in this course.
INSTRUCTIONS
Beginning in Module 2: Week 2, you will write a section of the code of ethics each module:
week and submit it to your instructor for evaluation. Each section must be at least 250 words.
The instructor will assess what you have written and make suggestions for clarification or
improvement if necessary. Once you have received a section back, you will have the opportunity
to revise it based on the instructor’s input. At the end of the course, you will submit the entire
project for a final grade. All parts of your Personal Code of Ethics must follow current Turabian
format.
Please Note: While this is your own code of ethics, it should be written in a formal, academic
and objective style. You should avoid all personal stories or references. Also, avoid being casual
in style. Think of this as an official document. You might Google codes of ethics to get an idea
of the style and manner I am looking for.
You are free and encouraged to refer to sources to support your view, including Scripture.
However, you must write your Personal Code of Ethics in your own words. Do not just copy
what you have read elsewhere. This is your code; make it your own. NOTE: Please do not quote
or cite any sources in you PCE except scripture if you choose to do so (scripture is not required).
Obviously your code of ethics is going to be influenced by what you have read in this course, but
please do not cite it (and certainly do not plagiarize it by stating it word for word). You do not
need to include any lengthy reasoning for your view unless you deem it necessary, since the code
is simply a statement and brief explanation of the view you hold. However, a brief explanation of
your reasoning might be necessary if your code reflects a position contrary to that promoted in
class. Refer to the presentation “A Christian Manifesto” in the Module 2: Week 2 Learn section
as as a model of the style and manner you should write in. Your Personal Code of Ethics will
include the 6 sections below and the final complete submission:
Personal Code of Ethics: Preamble Assignment
The Preamble states the background beliefs and principles that are the basis for the ethical
reasoning you will express as you discuss each issue. “A Christian Manifesto” is a good model
of the kinds of information you must cover in your Preamble. Your Preamble must include the
following:
1. The ethical theory you are using to evaluate issues and problems. This can be some form
of consequentialism, deontology, or virtue ethics, or it can be a combination of theories.
If it is a combination, prioritize them. Which theory is the dominant one, which is second,
etc.
2. The basic, salient Christian beliefs that affect your ethical reasoning, including beliefs
about God, Jesus, what is a human being, values, and obligations.
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3. A statement about the value and limitations of medicine and medical care.
4. A statement about the nature, purpose, and treatment of suffering.
Personal Code of Ethics: Beginning of Life Assignment
In many ways, this is the most important section, as much of what we think about medicine and
human beings flows from our considerations on this issue. This section must include the
following:
1. A statement on the moral status of the unborn: person, organism, or unknown. Include
your overall view of fetal development in relation to the moral status of the unborn.
2. What does it mean to be human person? What are the necessary conditions that makes
one a person?
3. Your general view on the moral permissibility of abortion.
4. Any justifiable exceptions to item 3 above, with reasons for exceptions.
5. Your view on imperiled newborns and infanticide: Is it ever justifiable? When and for
what reasons.
Personal Code of Ethics: End of Life Assignment
Our emotions get strained when we see loved ones suffering and the only end seems to be end of
life. In this section, you must consider the best way to approach end-of-life care. This section
must include the following:
1. A statement on both the definition of death and the best means of determining death
(select one).
2. Your view on the distinction between active and passive euthanasia: Is there a distinctive
difference or not?
3. A statement on the specific procedures and practices, if any, that can justifiably be
removed or withheld from dying patients and those that cannot (specifically address
nutrition and hydration)
4. A statement of the value and need for advanced directives (pro or con).
5. A statement of the morality of suicide and assisted suicide: Is it ever allowable, and
should physicians be involved?
Personal Code of Ethics: Procreative Technology Assignment
The desire to have children at an appropriate time is very important to us as Christians. As
technology has aided in this process, it has also introduced a number of ethical quagmires. This
section must include the following:
1. A statement concerning a general view of procreative technology in light of the moral
objections often raised (see reading).
2. An affirmation of the moral safeguards necessary to limit technology (what standards or
limitations are necessary)
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3. Your position on birth control in general and the particular methods you consider
acceptable and unacceptable.
4. Your view on artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and surrogacy parenting.
Personal Code of Ethics: Genetic Ethics Assignment
Much of the real revolution in medical care is happening on the genetic level. While this form of
medical intervention holds some real promise for the eradication of much disease, it also raises
serious questions that need to be addressed. This section must include the following:
1. A general statement about the values and limitations of genetic intervention.
2. Your views concerning genetic screening and the possible ethical problems associated
with prenatal, neonatal, carrier, and presymptomatic screening.
3. Your view concerning cell therapy, both somatic cell and germ line.
4. Your views on genetic enhancement and eugenics, both positive and negative.
Personal Code of Ethics: Clinical Ethics Assignment
While you may have to deal with some of this issues discussed thus far, you will very likely have
to deal regularly with handling patients in the clinical environment. Therefore, this section has
perhaps the most practical application. This section must include the following:
1. A statement about the meaning of informed consent and the value of maintaining
informed consent, including the value of patient input, right to refuse treatment including
if and when right to refuse is limited.
2. Your view concerning paternalism: when it is appropriate and when it is not, including
the limitations of various methods.
3. Your view of deception: its appropriateness and its dangers, including the value of being
honest with patients.
4. Your view of confidentiality: its importance and whether it can ever be justifiably
infringed upon (and if so, when).
5. Your view of how conflict in the health care team should be handled and when and how
whistleblowing might be appropriate.
Personal Code of Ethics: Final Submission Assignment
For the final complete submission, you need to go back into all of your previous submissions for
each of the sections you submitted over the last 6 weeks, beginning with the Preamble all the
way through Clinical Ethics. Read through the instructors comments in each submission and
then go in and rewrite them as with his/her suggestions in mind. You shouldn’t need to reread
the entire submission, but you should rewrite only the parts commented on. If the instructor
didn’t comment on something, then you can leave it alone (unless you want to rewrite it). When
the instructor reads through these final submissions, he/she will be looking for the information
commented on, so be sure to address that. Again remember, you are not being graded on the
particular view you take, this is your PCE, but you are expected to offer a defense for it. This
assignment should be a minimum of 1500 word