Question 1

The standards for clinical trials in the developing world are the same as for those in the developed world.

Accepted Answer

The standards for clinical trials can vary significantly between the developing and developed world due to differences in regulatory environments, ethical oversight, infrastructure, and available resources. Developed countries often have more stringent regulatory requirements and oversight mechanisms in place.

Question 2

There are ethical questions associated with the use of placebos.

Accepted Answer

The use of placebos raises ethical questions, particularly when used in research studies involving human subjects. This is because it may involve deception and denial of treatment to certain individuals, which could harm their health or compromise their autonomy. Therefore, careful ethical considerations and informed consent is necessary when using placebos in research or clinical practice.

Question 3

The medical importance of infectious diseases to global health is reflected in the pay scale of physicians who specialize in this area.

Accepted Answer

Infectious disease specialists often do not rank among the highest-paid physicians, as pay scales for medical professionals are more closely related to procedure-based specialties rather than the public health importance of their field.

Question 4

Peter Singer believes that the only ethical responsibilities we have are those that we voluntarily accept.

Accepted Answer

Peter Singer holds the view of utilitarianism, which suggests that individuals have ethical responsibilities beyond those they voluntarily accept, especially concerning the well-being of sentient beings. He argues that we have a moral obligation to alleviate suffering and promote pleasure, even if it means sacrificing our own self-interest.

Question 5

David Resnik holds that research funding as it is currently practiced is unjust.

Accepted Answer

David Resnik argues that the current system of research funding is unjust because it distributes resources unevenly and fails to address the needs of marginalized communities. He advocates for a more equitable distribution of research funds and greater involvement of these communities in setting research agendas.

Question 6

A cosmopolitan view of distributive justice considers the distribution of resources to be a global issue.

Accepted Answer

Cosmopolitanism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of considering the interests and well-being of all people, regardless of their nationality or place of residence. When applied to the issue of distributive justice, a cosmopolitan view would suggest that the distribution of resources should be considered on a global scale, rather than just within individual nations or communities. This view takes into account the fact that the distribution of resources, such as wealth and natural resources, has global implications and can have an impact on the well-being of people around the world.

Question 7

The majority of healthcare resources are devoted to solving the problems of the developing word.

Accepted Answer

The majority of healthcare resources are often allocated to developed countries, where there is more wealth and infrastructure to support healthcare systems, leaving developing countries with a smaller share of global healthcare resources.

Question 8

Peter Singer is a libertarian.

Accepted Answer

Peter Singer is not a libertarian, but rather a utilitarian philosopher who focuses on issues related to animal rights, global poverty, and effective altruism.

Question 9

Peter Singer believed that the example of the drowning baby shows that people have a moral obligation to persons outside their own countries.

Accepted Answer

Peter Singer argues that the drowning baby example illustrates our moral obligation to help others even if they are not part of our own community or country. He believes that our obligations should be based on the needs and suffering of individuals, rather than their national identity.

Question 10

Annas and Grodin argue that if research will benefit a population in a developing nation then there is no need to secure the informed consent of the participants from that nation.

Accepted Answer

Annas and Grodin's argument is not valid as informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle that applies regardless of the location or development status of the population being researched. All individuals have the right to autonomy and to be adequately informed about the risks and benefits of participating in research, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Question 11

The medical importance of an issue is reflected in its political importance.

Accepted Answer

The medical importance of an issue does not always correlate with its political importance, as political priorities can be influenced by a variety of factors including economic considerations, public opinion, and lobbying efforts, which may not align with medical priorities.

Question 12

Climate change is having a significant impact on human health.

Accepted Answer

Climate change has been linked to increases in air pollution, extreme weather events, and the spread of infectious diseases, all of which have negative impacts on human health.

Question 13

How the effectiveness of a drug in a clinical trial should be measured is always clear.

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of a drug in a clinical trial can be measured using various methods, and the most appropriate method depends on the specific drug and the disease being treated. The measurement of effectiveness is often complex and can involve analyzing various factors such as symptom improvement, disease progression, and patient survival rates.

Question 14

Some libertarians argue that moral responsibility does not extend beyond national borders, and so there is no moral obligation to aid people in the developing world.

Accepted Answer

Some libertarians believe in the principle of non-aggression, which means that individuals should not use force or coercion against others. This principle is typically applied to interactions within a nation, and some libertarians argue that it does not extend to interactions between nations. Therefore, they may argue that there is no moral obligation to provide aid to people in developing nations, as it would require the use of force (such as taxation) to redistribute resources. However, not all libertarians hold this view, and there is ongoing debate within the libertarian community about the extent of moral responsibility towards those beyond national borders.

Question 15

Cultural relativists seem committed to rejecting multiculturalism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cultural relativists seem committed to rejecting multiculturalism....

Quiz 11: The Challenge of Global Bioethics