Mariana Mezzacappa Mariana Mezzacappa

When Autonomy Harms

Living with Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE), a rare genetic bone disorder marked by recurring tumors and persistent pain, gives me firsthand insight into how inherited conditions can drastically shape a person's world. The thought of having a child brings with it the possibility of passing on this disorder, with a 50% chance of inheritance.

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Mariana Mezzacappa Mariana Mezzacappa

Allocating Care Without Abandonment

Background injustice and genuine choice operate very differently across patients, and any plausible theory of justice in healthcare must account for this contrast. How do we allocate care without leaving anyone behind?

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Mariana Mezzacappa Mariana Mezzacappa

How much authority should parents have?

Parental permission is required in pediatric clinical research because parents act as fiduciaries for their children. Their role is to protect the child, who is not autonomous, and to ensure that the child's welfare is prioritized over the aims of research.

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Mariana Mezzacappa Mariana Mezzacappa

Through a Disabled Mind

While we should uphold the view that disabled bodies are simply different and deserving of social acceptance, the more intricate issue is whether and when it is permissible to intervene in cases where a body is not just different, but fundamentally at odds with its own capacities and sense of agency.

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Mariana Mezzacappa Mariana Mezzacappa

The Disability Paradox

People with Disabilities report same or better quality of life than people without disabilities.

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