Baylor College of Medicine Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy

10/19/2026

We are thrilled to share that our Center Director, Dr. Amy McGuire, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

NAM recognized Dr. McGuire for her seminal contributions to ethical and policy issues related to emerging technologies and innovative therapeutics, especially in genomics, neuropsychology and novel neurological devices, and describes her as a national leader in bioethics.

Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, recognizing individuals with outstanding professional achievement and a commitment to service. Dr. McGuire joins 99 other newly elected members, 90 regular and 10 international, announced today.

Congratulations, Dr. McGuire, on this well-deserved recognition!

Read the announcement: https://nam.edu/news-and-insights/nam-announces-100-new-members-for-2026/

Baylor College of Medicine

Meet the National Academy of Medicine’s Class of 2026. Explore the new members recognized for their contributions to health, medicine, and science.

10/15/2026

We are ready for The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities 2026 Conference!

Stop by our booth and get a coffee. Grounds for discussion, coffee for the curious minds. ☕

Faculty and fellows presentation schedule: https://bcm.app.box.com/s/ey5epi6ejtj8xw2l85m1ls5q8o3znbvf

10/12/2026

For decades, an abnormal thyroid lab result triggered an automatic reflex: prescribe thyroid hormone replacement. But for older adults with a mildly abnormal result, is medication actually the best medicine?

In our newest blog, Drs. Risheng Xu, Nalini Ram and Kristina Marie Little examine the debated management of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients 65 and older. They note that treatment brought TSH levels into the normal range but made no measurable difference in symptom scores or tiredness, and that randomized trials have not shown improved quality of life for most older adults with mild cases. Their question carries ethical weight: are we treating a true illness or chasing a lab value?

Read the full blog: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/10/09/beyond-the-lab-value-why-withholding-thyroid-treatment-in-older-adults-is-often-the-best-medicine/

10/09/2026

We’re hiring! Our Center is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Psychedelic Ethics and Policy.

This two-year position, beginning summer 2027, is part of the Ethical Legal Implications of Psychedelics in Society (ELIPSIS) Program, a nationally recognized research program focused on ethical and policy issues related to psychedelic research and use. The associate will work under the supervision of Center Director Dr. Amy McGuire.

Apply here: https://jobs.bcm.edu/job/Postdoctoral-Associate-Psychedelic-Ethics-and-Policy/26139-en_US/

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post.

10/05/2026

As artificial intelligence, genomics and digital health technologies reshape medicine, questions about trust, privacy and institutional responsibility are more important than ever.

In our newest blog, Dr. Vaso Rahimzadeh shares her perspective on the ethical questions that will help define the future of medicine. In this conversation, she discusses why public trust depends on policies that reflect people's values and current evidence, and how AI is changing the way clinical evidence is used in regulatory approval.

Read the full conversation: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/10/02/46415/

09/28/2026

"You simply cannot out-parent an algorithm engineered to be behaviorally addictive."

In our newest blog, Dr. Daniel Flint, a pediatric psychologist at Texas Children's Hospital who treats severe eating disorders, challenges the common narrative that youth social media harm comes down to parental oversight. He points to a stark disconnect: the number of teens in his clinic who've tried and failed to cut back on social media is nearly eight times higher than the number of parents aware of that struggle. The underlying issue, he argues, is neurological: the brain's reward system matures rapidly during puberty, while the prefrontal cortex responsible for impulse control doesn't fully develop until the mid-20s, leaving teens biologically outmatched against algorithms designed to maximize engagement.

Read the full blog: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/09/25/when-an-adolescent-brain-meets-an-addictive-algorithm/

09/21/2026

For families facing a child's terminal or irreversible condition, one of the most painful decisions is choosing to shift focus from prolonging life to ensuring comfort. Despite decades of ethical guidance affirming this choice as appropriate, no standardized protocol has existed for how medical teams should carry it out, until now.

In our newest blog, Drs. Josh Lipsitz, Jessica Casas, Maeve Bartiss and Kim Sawyer describe a new clinical pathway developed at Texas Children's Hospital for the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (WOLST). Treating this process with the same rigor as any other high-stakes hospital procedure, the guideline addresses role delegation, symptom management, postmortem care preferences and the involvement of social work, child life and chaplaincy, ensuring holistic support for both patient and family.

Read the full blog: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/09/18/when-every-detail-matters-supporting-families-through-a-childs-final-moments/

09/15/2026

HPV self-collection may be one of the most promising advances in cervical cancer screening in decades, with sensitivity for detecting high-risk HPV and precancers approaching that of a clinician-collected sample. But before embracing the convenience of an at-home swab, our newest blog asks a harder question: what happens when the result comes back positive?

Drs. Rabab Isa, Anthony Costales and Claire Hoppenot explore the real promise of self-collection, particularly for rural communities and patients for whom a pelvic exam presents unique challenges, while examining the ethical and logistical questions that come after a positive test.

Read the full blog: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/09/11/hpv-self-collection-the-test-is-only-the-beginning/

HPV self-collection is a promising innovation, but where and how should we use it, and is the healthcare system prepared for what comes next?

09/14/2026

Baylor's annual Give Big Day is happening tomorrow, September 15, and we'd love your support!

Your gift to the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy helps sustain our work at the intersection of medicine, ethics and health policy, from research and publications to educational programs like our Clinical Ethics Fellowship and community-facing events.

Giving is already open, so early gifts count toward our goal now. Every amount helps!

Give here: https://support.bcm.edu/campaigns/82673/donations/new?a=1&designation=medicalethicshealthpolicy

Join me in supporting Baylor College of Medicine's Give BIG Day!

09/09/2026

What do we carry with us after a training, course or conference ends? Sometimes it's a new framework. Sometimes it's a practical skill. And sometimes it's a question that keeps shaping how we think about our work.

In our newest blog, Roberto Alvarado, communications specialist at our Center, reflects on a year of professional development across our faculty and staff. Together, these experiences reflect a shared commitment to learning that reaches beyond any one individual or discipline.

Read the full blog: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/09/04/what-we-take-with-us-professional-development-lessons-that-last/

A look at how professional development opportunities have helped faculty and staff grow their expertise and enhance their contributions to research, education and healthcare.