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Antihypertensive and the Risk of Temporary Impotence: A Case Study of Informed Consent

            Mr. Williams has presented Dr. Kramer with an interesting question of informed consent. Dr. Kramer is caught between doing what is right for the patient versus respecting Mr. William’s autonomy. Dr. Kramer should have a serious discussion with Mr. Williams describing in detail her recommended course of treatment and the possible side effects including impotence.

            Naturalism is the philosophical view that nothing exist beyond the natural universe. But it leaves open the interpretation that if there is something beyond the natural world that it does not affect the natural universe. Naturalism is an important point of view that is receptive to the methodology of science, which is based on facts and the search for the truth in the natural world.

     The way science shapes society and vice-versa is an interesting point when considering the impacts of science on society. Many people traditionally believe that science acts independently of society. This is a narrow view that does not take into account a recursive definition of science. People use science to build society which uses the knowledge learned from science to direct the future. Science and society must be examined simultaneously and are not mutually exclusive.

                  The development of flintlock technology for firing weapons was adopted more readily by the Native Americans compared to the Europeans because of the cultural difference surrounding war. Firearms were first introduced to Native Americans when Europeans settled the colonies, at this time all guns were furnished with matchlocks. The Native Americans were apprehensive about adopting this ‘new’ technology. With the introduction of the flintlock mechanism the Native Americans adopted this technology faster than the Europeans.

                  The CEA and EDF of France represented differing political agendas on the development and use of nuclear reactors in post-World War II France. The CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique) and EDF (Électricité de France) were commissions by the Gaullist government to help France put itself on the map as a world leader after the humiliating occupation by Germany. In post-WWII era, nuclear technology dominated the stage of politics as all major countries were toiling endless to catch up to the United States.

       Technology in medicine has seen the boom and bang of the gold rush in the mid-1800's. It has helped to advance new diagnostic techniques and enabled doctors to have the entire library of medicine at their finger tips. But like many revelations technology is a double edged sword, on the one hand physicians can stay up to date in their field...on the other it appears physicians are sometimes caught in the act of multi-tasking when it is inappropriate.

    When you walk into the hospital the last thing any one would think of is that they are out of whatever you need to live. It like going in with a large cut and the physician telling you that they can't stitch you up because they do not have stitches. From one perspective people have always grown up with the fantasy that when you go to the hospital the doctors will take care of you.

See: http://politicalirony.com/2010/02/26/rachel-maddow-explains-our-health-care-system/

     So I was reading the New York Time today when I came across this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/health/policy/09guns.html?ref=policy). At first when I began with the title I was a little perplexed...not to why are guns an issue in primary care or not. But to why does the government care whether or not a physician asks the question to a patient. As I continued to read. I was even more amazed at the basis of the new law in Florida in which

     Hello and welcome to my open discussion on policy. In the publications you can take a look at three of my papers that I have written for class. You may start topics post stuff in your blog entry for stimulation conversation.