My Insights:With growing technology, why do health disparitites still exist?
- More resources are being put forth into research to increase knowledge as opposed to spending resources on existing knowledge, unless commercially profitable—illustrating how market forces are a more powerful influence on the practice of medicine than health needs (very sad).
- Second, concern for those who are most severely affected by ill health seems to be generally considered less valued. The most ill are typically living in the poorest countries in the worst circumstances, and are away from the daily interactions of most people in developed countries (developing technologies, and spending money on health issues).
Graphical references: Ethics are never black or white. It's not like someone can act or think objectively at all times. For example as Professor Shahi asked, “is murder ever justifiable?” Automatically, one might say, no. To kill another is wrong and unjust. But my answer is ... yes ( in cases of self defense, I believe so) and so even the lines behind murder can shift. Unique quotes: "The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all." - Origen
4 comments:
Hee hee, I'm getting worried that as the semester progresses we are starting to settle into the whole "well, there's no real grey area" and therefore there isn't much to be done about it. This semester has definitely gotten most of us on so many different levels wondering if there's hope for the world. As optimistic as I am, some of the numbers we have seen give me cause to wonder. But I guess there is hope; we just have to do all we can as public health workers and hope everything else falls in place.
It's really sad how the trend does seem to be that the most ill are lving in the poorest countries, in the poorest conditions. What's more sad is that most the conditions they're afflicited with are curable/ preventable. Thanks for your post.
Alexis, the reality is sad but true, as you mentioned, the reality between profits and people's health is all too common. It is morally and ethically worng to replace people with dollar signs. And I completely agree with the grey areas in life... there is always a grey area, especially in the examples you mentioned. It is unfortunate that many are stuck in either the black or the white.
It really comes down to moral issues. Different people have different moral levels, so there is always going to be conflicts. When a society is so used to such low health standards, they will do little to correct it. I think ultimately good communication on our part will educate these countries that they can in fact do better than their current state, and our country is a living example that there is hope.
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