ISD II – Endocrinology

Ethics/Humanities/Health Law

Wed., Jan. 22, 2003

10 a.m. – noon

 

 

An important announcement for those who selected the option of writing three short papers over the ISD course:  in response to student requests, the due date for the next paper has been changed from Jan. 31, 2003 to Feb. 10, 2003. 

 

This package contains:

 

  • Two cases for discussion during class
  • A 1998 New York Times entitled “When Medicine Goes Too far in the Pursuit of Normality”
  • A 1990 article from the Journal of Pediatrics entitled “Growth Hormone Therapy for Short Stature:  Panacea or Pandora’s Box?”
  • A 1999 article from Sociology of Health & Illness entitled “Challenging Medicine?  Bodybuilding, drugs and Risk”

 

Learning Objectives

 

In this session you will:

 

  • Consider the idea of normality
  • Consider the ethical implications of some controversial medical treatments that aim to make patients normal or better than normal
  • Consider the idea of men’s health as a medical discipline

 

Article Summaries

 

  • Article summaries will be accepted until Monday, January 27, 2002.

Case 1

 

Brenda White brings her 14 year-old son James in for a check-up because of concerns about severe acne.  The problem developed over the past three months.  Prior to that he had shown no signs of this common teenage malady.  Brenda waits outside as you take James into the examination room.  Upon further questioning James reveals he has been taking what he describes as “that stuff Mark McGwire used” to make him a better hockey player.  Although Androstenedione is a ‘controlled substance’ in Canada, James reveals that his hockey coach got a supply when their team travelled to Maine for a tournament.  James is obviously proud that his coach ‘only gives the stuff to the best players because he wants them to have a bit of an edge.’  The coach also instructed the players not to inform their parents as he didn’t want them getting upset about nothing.  James thinks he is already getting stronger by using this substance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case 2

 

Johnny is a short 11-year-old boy with documented Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency resulting from a brain tumor.  His parents are of average height.  His predicted adult height without GH treatment is approximately 160 cm (5 feet 3 inches).  His parents want Johnny treated with GH.

 

Billy is a short 11-year-old boy with normal GH secretion according to current testing methods.  However, his parents are extremely short, and he has a predicted adult height of 160 cm (5 feet 3 inches).  His parents want Billy treated with GH.