Sex and Vaccination
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=238&id=238Department of Biomedical Engineering
Cornell University
eaz29@cornell.edu
Department of Biological Sciences
University at Buffalo
herreid@buffalo.edu
Abstract
This case study focuses on the controversy surrounding the decision by Texas Governor Rick Perry to mandate the compulsory vaccination of girls in the Texas public school system against the human papillomavirus (HPV) prior to entering the sixth grade. The interrupted case method is particularly appropriate for this subject, with successive sections providing a general overview of the disease, the reasons for and against such a mandatory vaccination program, and a disclosure of what ultimately transpired in Texas. Designed for an ethics or public policy course, the case could easily be adapted to emphasize biological and medical topics.
Objectives
- To probe the boundary between elected officials’ duty to protect the public health and the right of individuals to make decisions affecting their health and well being.
- To discern potential bias and partiality in scientific issues.
- To fashion a compromise solution that makes allowances for dissenting or minority viewpoints in addressing a major public health issue.
Keywords
HPV; human papillomavirus; vaccine; vaccination; oncogene; cervical cancer; sexually transmitted disease; STD; Gardasil; bioethics; Governor Rick Perry; TexasEducational Level
Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, General public & informal educationFormat
PDFType Methods
InterruptedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Public Health Biology (General) Medicine (General)
Date Posted
04/11/08Teaching Notes
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Answer Key
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Comments
Jon Darkow
jdarkow@se-tigers.com
Attica Ohio,
05/03/2019
I really wish this case study was updated. Many questions focus on girls getting the HPV vaccine, but say nothing about the CDC's recommendation for boys to get the vaccine. I used some of the questions, but did not use the case because of this. -----------------------------