PSY570 Southern New Ethics of Moral Bioenhancement Discussion Imagine you are a therapist living in the not-so-distant future. A moral bioenhancement pill

PSY570 Southern New Ethics of Moral Bioenhancement Discussion Imagine you are a therapist living in the not-so-distant future. A moral bioenhancement pill called Moralzac is currently in clinical trials to obtain FDA approval. You have already read about moral bioenhancement in peer-reviewed journals and are worried about the ethical implications of this pill.

If this pill were to be approved by the FDA, would you prescribe it to a patient? Why or why not?

Explain how you might use the eight-step ethical decision-making model to come to your conclusion.

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document (attached).

PLEASE ALSO RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING TWO POSTS REGARDING THE SAME TOPIC!

STUDENT ONE:

For a few years now, there has been an ongoing debate about the ethical aspects of moral bioenhancement, which focuses on the desirability of using biomedical instead of traditional means to achieve moral betterment (Specker et al., 2014). On one side of the debate, psychologists believe that moral bioenhancement could benefit individuals in many ways, such as reducing criminality, fostering abuse, enhancing cognitive abilities, treating mental/ mood/ personality disorders and mending our defective moral nature, but on the other side, others claim moral bioenhancement might threaten the freedom of the individual and might endanger or negatively impact the freedom, autonomy, and identity of an individual (Specker et al., 2014).

If the moral bioenhancement pill, Moralzac were to be approved by the FDA, I would have my reservations on prescribing it to a patient. Having knowledge that this pill was recently in clinical trials to obtain FDA approval and shortly after was approved, I’d have some questions regarding ethical approaches, side effects on cognition, perception and behavior and it’s overall effect on an individual. Examples of these ethical considerations could be the recalls announced on TV at times for birth controls or other medications, as they have caused a negative effect to a large amount of individuals, over a period of time. When any medication is so new, it is important to test and conduct longitudinal studies, in order to see the longevity of the effects and results. Also making sure no harm is caused to the patients is essential, as following APA codes of ethics will guide the process of making these decisions. I probably wouldn’t prescribe Moralzac to any patients, regardless of being FDA approved, only because I would want to conduct more clinical trials and studies to obtain more insight on the effects of the drug.

Using a ethical decision-making module, such as the eight-step ethical model, could be used to decide whether or not, prescribing this pill would be ethically a good idea. Following the steps in Determining if the situation involves ethics, which in this case it would. Consulting already existing guidelines, in which utilizing resources that are already existing about this pill or chemicals used to make this pill, also clarifying any misconceptions about the pill and its effects. Considering all factors that could influence the decision, in which a professional may consider short term and long term effects, side effects and combinations with other medications. Then consulting with a trusted colleague in which the professional may share his professional thoughts and opinions as well as consider the professional opinions of colleagues, in order to provide more insight and different perceptions amongst prescribing this pill. Evaluating rights, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities of all individuals, in which this step will help ensure that all individuals are taken into account, regarding different backgrounds, ages, gender etc. and their rights to confidentiality, informed consent, privacy and feedback. Generating alternative decisions is essential as This step will help professionals establish all possible options including whether or not making a decision to prescribe this pill for moral bioenhancment at all is an appropriate option to take. Establishing consequences of each alternative decision in Identifying all possible consequences that could be an effect from a decision being made, including short-term, present, long-term, social, psychological, physical, emotional, and financial consequences. After considering all steps, finally, you can make the decision.

References

American Psychological Association, Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2016). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions: Standards and cases (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Specker, J., Focquaert, F., Raus, K., Sterckx, S., & Schermer, M., (2014). The ethical desirability of moral bioenhancement: a review of reasons. BMC Medical Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-15-67

STUDENT TWO:

In applying the 8-step decision making model to this scenario I would first complete step 1, which would be determining if this situation truly involved ethics. In this case I would determine that prescribing the pill could greatly impact the way a client acted, even altering their fundamental views and behaviors. Additionally, this pill could cause a patient to behave in a way that may cause them, or other harm, so I would determine that this situation merits the use of the 8-step model. Next I would consult the guidelines that are already available on the case. In this scenario I would review the peer-reviewed journals, as well as the recommendations and warnings provided by the FDA. Next I would consider factors that may influence my decision to prescribe. Have pharmaceutical companies attempted to convince me to prescribe this drug? Next, I would consult with other professionals in the field. Potentially another professional could have already prescribed the drug, and I may be able to talk to them about their decision to do that.

Following my conversation with my peers I would complete step 5 of the model, which would be to evaluate my client’s rights, and my responsibilities to my client. Is there anyway that I could be legally obligated to prescribe this medication if my client requests it? Would I need to refer my client to someone who is more willing to prescribe the medication? This would lead into step 6 and 7, in which I would come up with other possible choices, and the impact of those choices. Could I prescribe a different medication? Would cognitive behavioral therapy work? Is there another way to approach my client’s behavior that would reinforce an increase in morality without medication?

Finally, I would make a decision about prescribing the medication. The decision would be contingent upon the clients needs and defects, the interventions we had already explored, and the interventions that were available but had not yet been used with the client.

Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2016). Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases Fourth Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. PSY 570 Discussion Guidelines and Rubric
Overview: You will write an initial post (2–3-paragraph response) to the discussion and reply to at least two posts during the week outside of your initial post
thread. These discussions offer you the opportunity to express your own thoughts, ask questions for clarification, and gain insight from your classmates’
responses and instructor’s guidance. A response needs to be respectful and substantive, indicating a response with depth beyond “I agree” or “I disagree.” Your
participation posts must also demonstrate greater critical thinking beyond reframing another post.
Recommended best practices:
Initial post (1):
 Composed of two to three paragraphs unless otherwise noted
 In Module One, complete the initial post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time.
 In Modules Two through Ten, complete the initial post by
Thursday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
 Considers material (course content, other discussions, etc.) from
the current module and previous modules
Response posts (2):
 Reply to at least two other classmates outside of your own initial
post thread
 In Module One, complete the two response posts by Sunday at
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
 In Modules Two through Ten, complete the two response posts by
Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
 Must have more depth and critical thinking than simply “I agree” or
“you are wrong”
For more information, see the Course Etiquette section of the COCE Guide to Student Success.
Critical Elements
Application
Exemplary (100%)
The discussion post was
written in a manner indicating
that the student clearly
understood the ethical
concepts presented in class;
demonstrates appropriate
application of concepts (100%)
Timeliness
Critical Thinking
Student demonstrates critical
thinking with the initial and
response posts. Critical
elements are addressed in a
comprehensive manner, tying
the response back to the
literature presented in the
week (100%)
Proficient (90%)
The discussion post was written
in a manner indicating that the
student understood the ethical
concepts presented in class;
demonstrates application of
concepts (90%)
Needs Improvement (70%)
The discussion post was
written in a manner indicating
that the student struggled
with the ethical concepts
presented in class (70%)
Not Evident (0%)
Student did not provide
an initial response to
the discussion question
(0%)
Value
35
Submits initial post on time
(100%)
Student provides a wellthought-out initial post that
demonstrates a working
knowledge of the literature
presented from the week;
response posts demonstrate
critical analysis (90%)
Submits initial post one day late
(70%)
Student provides a wellthought-out initial post, but
does not make connections to
the material presented in the
course work from the week;
response posts indicate
challenges with critical
thinking (70%)
Submits initial post two
or more days late (0%)
Student did not provide
an initial response to
the discussion question
(0%)
10
25
Writing
(Mechanics/
Citations)
No errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, or citations (100%)
Minor errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations (90%)
Some errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations (70%)
Major errors related to
organization, grammar
and style, and citations
(0%)
20
Participation
Student provides the required
quantity of participation posts
which are substantive,
respectful, and add something
new to the discussion (100%)
Student provides the
required quantity of
participation posts. A
majority of the posts are
substantive and respectful to
fellow learners (90%)
Student does not submit the
required quantity or quality of
participation posts (70%)
Student does not submit
any participation posts
to fellow learners for
the discussion question
(0%)
10
Earned Total
100%

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