In this paper, I aim to assess the ethical and policy issues at the forefront of developmental biology, mainly, the 14-day guideline dictating human embryo research. Ever since the invention of in vitro fertilization in the 1970s, the research landscape of human embryo research has been well explored. Now, there are new embryonic technologies and human embryonic stem cell based models that many believe do not fit into current guidelines. This paper analyzes four of these new technologies-- stem cell derived gametes, embryoids, 3D printed embryos and synthetic embryos-- in order to explore the impetus for reopening the debate on the 14-day guideline. The paper then explores current research and research projects while comparing and contrasting science as well as the potential for moral status and how that impacts regulation. Current United States policies and regulations as well as current professional society guidelines are broken down to fully grasp the political landscape surrounding human embryo research. Notably, current policies include the complete lack of a federal definition of an embryo as well as the Dickey-Wicker Amendment which restrict funding for human embryo research. It is thus advised that these, along with the 14 day guideline, are updated in order to encapsulate the early human developmental research landscape and promote research. This paper ends with an in depth policy recommendation including (but not limited to) bill language, suggested definitions and potential strategies.

In biomedical research institutions and medical institutions alike, whistleblowing, or the reporting of misconduct, has been severely retaliated against. Whistleblowers report misconduct by adhering to institutional whistleblowing policies, and do so in order to maintain ethical practice within their institution; it is important to note that by taking this ethical action, whistleblowers are aiming to protect the future of biomedical research and medicine. Despite these intentions, whistleblowing has developed a negative stigma due to the misconception that whistleblowers have self-proclaimed authority and are unable to function as part of a team. The retaliation against whistleblowers has been connected to psychological and professional fallout for the whistleblower, and it has been found that many whistleblowers suffer as a direct result of a lack of institutional support. The problems with whistleblowing culture demonstrate issues surrounding how ethics are maintained in institutions, who ethics policies apply to, and who has authority. The retaliation seen against whistleblowers outlines inherent institutional failures, and highlights the need for institutional change in order to both promote ethical practice and protect the whistleblowers who adhere to ethics policies. This thesis discusses such failures in detail, and outlines several broad solutions in order to combat this issue.

The medical scribe industry is relatively new and populated with pre-medical students trying to gain the necessary experience to be considered qualified candidates for medical school. However, with the emergence of any new industry, there are bound to be flaws in the infrastructure of the position. I chose to investigate the discrepancies between what medical scribe companies were advertising to attract pre-medical students and what pre-medical students reported that they were gaining from the experience. I used qualitative content analysis and a deductive research design based on my own experience and the experience of my fellow scribes. I looked at how medical scribing affected pre-medical students and what struggles they faced when working as a medical scribe. I found that while students reported many negative components of scribing, and that medical scribing companies did not prepare their applicants well for those challenges, most scribes still expressed a significant education benefit to the experience which outweigh the drawbacks. Lastly, I propose the importance of narrative medicine in helping to deal with the hardships of the position and how narrative medicine can serve as a tool for self-reflection on the path to making the next generation of physicians.

Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices that create hearing capabilities in those with inner ear damage that results in total or partial hearing loss. The decision to get a cochlear implant can be difficult and controversial. Cochlear implants have many physical and social impacts on cochlear implant users. The aim of this study was to evaluate how patient narratives written by people with cochlear implants (or their caregivers) express issues of quality of life and personhood related to the use of this medical device. The methodology used to answer this question was a content analysis of patient narratives. The content analysis was done using grounded theory and the constant comparative method. Two sensitizing concepts, quality of life and personhood, were used and became the large umbrella themes found in the narratives. Under the major theme of quality of life, the sub-themes that emerged were improved hearing, improved communication skills, and assimilation into the hearing world. Under the major theme of personhood, the sub-themes that emerged were confidence, self-image, and technology and the body. Another major theme, importance of education, also emerged. In general, cochlear implant users and their caregivers expressed in their narratives that cochlear implants have positive effects on the quality of life of cochlear implant users. This is because almost all of the narrative writers reported improved hearing, improved communication skills, and better assimilation into the hearing world. In addition, it was found that cochlear implants do not have a significant affect on the actual personal identity of cochlear implant users, though they do make them more confident. The majority of cochlear implant users expressed that they view the cochlear implant device as an assistive tool they use as opposed to a part of themselves. Lastly, there is a need for more awareness of or access to education and therapy for cochlear implant users.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that is becoming increasingly common. Autism does not yet have a known etiology, nor a definitive diagnostic test, thus making diagnosis a difficult and rarely uniform task. Currently, ASD is behaviorally diagnosed based on criteria defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Recently, a change was made in the criteria from more lenient criteria in DSM-IV-TR, to more narrow criteria laid out by the DSM-V, which supersedes the DSM-IV-TR. This drastic change raised many questions and debates about which set of criteria are better. The more lenient criteria offers a more inclusive diagnosis giving greater access to therapies; while the narrow diagnostic criteria excludes some individuals, creating a more uniform diagnosis that's easier to use in research. This thesis analyzes the change in diagnostic criteria from the DSM-IV-TR to the DSM-V and the effects of these changes on the practices of diagnosis. In addition, it explores the implications of this change for the families of children with autism and for those involved in autism research, examining their respective opinions and interests pertaining to narrow verses broad diagnostic criteria. Building on this analysis, the thesis offers recommendations about diagnostic criteria should be set. It argues that the wellbeing of patients takes priority over the interests of researchers, and thus diagnosis should be done in a way that offers the best prognosis for all children who suffer from autistic symptoms.

This research was aimed at identifying the problems of the kidney transplant market and then proposing business-minded solutions. The methodology that was used to compile research was an industry analysis, a business model canvas, the lean startup methodology, academic papers, popular culture references, previous and present marketing campaigns, an internship at a local hospital, and organ transplant databases. The problems I identified was that kidney transplant industry was favorable but had few competitors, a mounting demand with a lack of supply, a lack of public awareness, negative public perception, and incorrectly focused marketing campaigns. The solutions that I constructed were the endorsement of grocery retail clinics as a step to prevent a future increase in demand for kidneys, a hybridized opt-in system that would increase the supply of transplantable kidneys, a public awareness campaign that would increase the public's awareness and shift it into a positive light, and a refocused marketing campaign that centered on why people become donors. The implementation of these solutions should be solution1, then solution 3 and 4, and then after the public has enough time to ruminate, employ solution 2.

The use of medical scribes in emergency departments has been associated with faster patient discharge times, increased numbers of patients treated, and improved patient satisfaction ratings in previous research studies and has also been correlated with improved levels of physician satisfaction as well as a high degree of gratification from scribes. For this paper, I examined the nature of scribing, essentially analyzing the role of the scribe in modern healthcare, and the effects of the occupation on the medical field. Though a shortage of prior research regarding medical scribing persisted, the data I received here mirrored some of the results from earlier studies, specifically those which proclaimed that physicians admit to increased work efficiency when accompanied by scribes. Unlike prior studies, however, this thesis presents novel information regarding scribes‘ perspectives of the profession, including some of the complaints they possess, which are most notably long and irregular shifts, far commute distances, and low wages. Through my research, which relied heavily on interviews and surveys and less heavily on EMR-simulating examinations, scribes were discovered to have a greater average typing speed (64 wpm) than physicians (30 wpm) and performed better in three drills that simulated different manners of patient charting. It was the opinion of all physicians that scribes were beneficial—both to them as physicians and to patients. Though scribes represented varying opinions about their role, the majority (9/11) of those who were interviewed classified scribing as a somewhat stressful job but also stated that they were mostly satisfied with their position.

Memory augmentation will play a vital role in the development of our future. The predicted introduction of downloadable brains will be the first of many neurocognitive technologies that will alter our lives at both the societal and individual levels. These technologies can affect everything from educational institutions to the judicial system, meanwhile raising issues such as autonomy, human psychology, and selfhood. Because of its tremendous potential, memory augmentation and its implications should thoroughly be examined.

This long form creative nonfiction essay gives insider details on working in an emergency room as a medical scribe. The most pertinent topic is death and how the author copes with seeing patients die on a regular basis. Other topics are emergency room procedures, specific diagnoses and treatments, as well information on the other personnel in an emergency room.