Journal 4-2 Max Bardowell 4-13-08

Bioethics

Question: Morgan Valentine^[1] Spurlock (born November 7, 1970) is an American independent documentary film director, TV producer, and screenwriter, known for the documentary film Super Size Me, in which he demonstrated the health effects of McDonald's food by eating nothing but McDonalds three times a day, every day, for one month. Spurlock is also the executive producer and star of the reality television series 30 Days.

Spurlock graduated with a BFA in film from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1993. Before making the 2004 Academy Award nominated Super Size Me, Spurlock was a playwright, winning awards for his play The Phoenix at both the New York International Fringe Festival in 1999 and the Route 66 American Playwriting Competition in 2000. He also created I Bet You Will for MTV.

The field of bio-ethics is a relatively new area of ethical discussion, involving technologies and circumstances unforeseen by students of ethics even a decade ago. Evolving in tandem with the rise of new technologies within the fields of biology and medicine, bio-ethics now includes several main issues:

• Right to life/ death cases involving those in a vegetative state or those with a terminal illness

• Cloning of animals or humans

• Genetic engineering

• Genetically modified foods

• Confidentiality of medical records

• Stem cell research

The goal of bioethicists is to use philosophical techniques to analyze the circumstances surrounding these issues and generate a clearer picture for those who are in a decision making position. Bioethicists draw on traditional philosophical guidelines, current laws and legislation, and religious scripture for guidance. Many bioethicists are also physicians, using the medical information they received in their educations to help influence their reports.

Question: Who are the nation’s leading bioethicists?