Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
A new model language has been developed to guide clinical researchers in properly disclosing their financial interests in research, providing guidance on risks and benefits to participants. The language includes specific wording for various types of financial interests, aiming to minimize potential risks to research subjects.
The new REC allows St. Jude to collaborate with Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamin Bloom on clinical trials and train Salvadoran nurses, leading to improved treatments for pediatric catastrophic diseases. The success of the model has encouraged other institutions in El Salvador to form RECs.
Developed using best evidence and expert panels, a triage protocol prioritizes access to ventilators and antiviral medications in patients with severe symptoms. The protocol aims to ensure fair distribution of limited resources during an overwhelmed healthcare system.
Every year, 68,000 women die from unsafe induced abortions. Accessing safe, legal abortion improves women's health and can reduce these fatalities. Legalizing abortion is necessary but insufficient; making it safe and accessible is also crucial.
The Women's Bioethics Project has launched a new podcast series titled 'The Scientist & the Ethicist', which explores topical ethical issues related to reproductive and genetic technologies. The podcast features conversations with prominent bioethicists discussing topics such as designer babies, genetic engineering, and cloning.
A US survey of obstetricians and gynecologists found that one in three doctors believe free drug samples impact their prescribing choices. More than half of respondents felt it was ethical to accept free samples or lucrative consultancy offers from pharmaceutical companies.
International experts issue checklists to address the interests of the world's most disadvantaged during a pandemic. The Bellagio Statement of Principles aims to improve public health planning and response with the needs of poor groups in mind.
The Indiana University Center for Bioethics has established a Program in Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Predictive Health Research with a $750,000 grant. The program aims to address the ethical concerns surrounding large-scale health research projects, including informed consent and data ownership.
As technology improves life expectancy and oxygen therapy becomes more accessible at home, critical care physicians face a new challenge: honoring patient requests to discontinue supplemental oxygen. The commentary offers a four-step approach to help physicians overcome concerns and ensure patients' wishes are respected.
A new study finds that concentrating antiretroviral drugs in urban areas could reduce new infections by up to 46%, but would violate basic ethical principles of treatment equity. The approach would also exacerbate urban/rural healthcare disparities.
A study by Johns Hopkins University found that US clinical researchers often resist full financial disclosure, instead opting for limited disclosures. Researchers and officials believe that disclosing the existence of financial interests can promote trust and reduce legal liability, but disagree on how to do it effectively.
Recruitment incentives have grown due to competition among research sponsors, offering substantial finder's fees. This raises concerns about physician judgment, patient safety, and public trust in clinical research. The issues cannot be resolved by sanctioning individuals, but rather require broader institutional and regulatory reform.
A 'domino' transplant program can effectively double the benefit of altruistically donated kidneys by serving multiple recipients, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The domino-donation model has been shown to increase the likelihood of good outcomes for patients and prioritize those in greatest need.
A new proposal suggests that older, artier applicants with at least one year's work experience would be better suited for a career in medicine. This is due to their ability to understand both themselves and patients better, making them more capable doctors and happier professionals.
Research ethics committees run for profit face criticism for prioritizing sponsors' interests over study safety. Examples show that well-performing for-profit IRBs exist, but critics argue that the financial stakes create a conflict of interest. Huge profits from clinical trials can lead to delays in approval and impact patient care.
Dr. Paul Root Wolpe argues that scientists have a unique responsibility to advocate for their research and carefully consider ethical implications. By doing so, they can advance their own work and improve the public's understanding of scientific breakthroughs.
A study of 60 life science researchers and entrepreneurs from developing countries found a lack of communication and coordination between diaspora members and their home countries. The researchers call for the establishment of mechanisms such as Diaspora Business Initiatives and National Science Corps to facilitate partnerships and col...
The authors of a commentary propose developing educational messages about genetic testing to address misunderstandings and societal fears. This could involve collaboration between professional organizations, patient advocacy groups, and the public at large to improve the interpretation of test results.
Researchers argue for alternative approach to vaccine distribution, considering individual's degree of life investment and life expectancy. Healthy people from early adolescence to middle age are prioritized for vaccination, aiming to maximize years of life.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) fired Editor-in-Chief John Hoey and senior deputy editor Anne Marie Todkill due to irreconcilable differences. However, Peter Singer and Gordon Guyatt argue that the burden of proof should be on medical journal publishers to show that termination was not related to editorial decisions. Th...
A team of law professors, physicians, and bioethicists will develop standards for tests on human subjects in research involving genetic technologies for enhancement. The project aims to identify differences between therapeutic and non-therapeutic enhancements and determine ethical conditions for conducting such research.
Research by the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics reveals five interrelated approaches used by 13 bioscience firms to address ethical issues, including strong leadership, external expertise, and internal mechanisms. The study provides a constructive starting point for the industry to build upon.
A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that bioscience companies are formalizing systematic approaches to ethical decision-making, including Ethical leadership, External expertise, and Ethics evaluation and reporting mechanisms. The research shows that these approaches are becoming an integral part of day-to-day decision-making.
A study of 5,000 managers found that both small and large firms showed increasingly positive selections on their own ethical views. This trend was observed across three decades, with no difference between large and small firms except in the 1993 survey.
The Women's Bioethics Project has received a grant from the Ford Foundation to organize a bioethics seminar for women state legislators. The seminar aims to prepare these leaders to tackle emerging issues in healthcare and biotechnology.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal's (CMAJ) Editor-in-Chief and Senior Deputy Editor were dismissed after a dispute over an article on emergency contraceptive pills. The move has raised concerns about the balance between publishing peer-reviewed research and investigative journalism.
The article highlights the need for researchers to navigate intricate legal, ethical, and political issues surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. The author, Henry T. Greely, emphasizes that these concerns will significantly impact researchers, institutions, and science as a whole.
A report by the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics advocates for a global network of scientists to balance biodevelopment and biosecurity. The proposed strategy aims to create conditions for fighting bioterrorism by building capacity for scientific discovery, particularly in developing countries.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
As neuroimaging technologies advance, researchers must consider how to handle sensitive data and balance individual privacy with the potential benefits of discovery. Neuroethicist Judy Illes emphasizes the need for informed consent protocols and clear guidelines for handling incidental findings in imaging studies.
The Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics offers a pioneering 'benchside' consultation program to help basic-science researchers identify ethical and social impacts of their work. The program advises ways to minimize risks and maximize benefits, with seven Stanford researchers having sought consults since its inception.
A recent study by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine emphasizes the need for doctors to prioritize public interests in medical research, advising against withholding negative results from clinical trials. The organization's guiding ethical principles recommend agreeing publication with sponsors before trial initiation.
Researchers are working on a three-year €2.5 million project to isolate and expand mesenchymal stem cells from cord blood for use in therapies. The goal is to create viable new medical uses for these stem cells, which could be used to repair bone defects and fractures.
Top-ranked pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb, demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethics through their actions. The ranking highlights the importance of human development criteria, including labour standards, waste management, and product social utility.
The revised International Health Regulations require countries to report public health emergencies within 24 hours, but regional governments may resist disclosure due to economic concerns and federal scrutiny. This 'federalism dilemma' poses a challenge for successful implementation of the new regulations.
The revised International Health Regulations require detailed reporting from countries, but regional governments may withhold data due to economic and federalism concerns. This 'federalism dilemma' poses a challenge for global pandemic planning and response.
The study recommends five fundamental principles for clinicians to follow in making decisions about artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH), including consistency with medical condition, prognosis, and patient goals. The authors argue that ANH is a medical therapy with substantial risks and burdens, requiring technical procedures and ...
A 15-point ethical guide recommends prioritizing health workers' duty to care, restricting liberty through quarantine measures, and allocating scarce resources such as medicines. The guide also emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making and support for those affected by quarantine.
A UCSF team recommends amending current practices to ensure the safety of patients participating in clinical trials involving embryonic stem cells. The guidelines aim to protect donors' privacy by recontacting them over the years to update their medical records.
Researchers will investigate how patient cost-sharing affects health care law, medical ethics, and the doctor-patient relationship. The study aims to better understand the impact of consumer-directed initiatives on these areas.
Researchers at UCSD advocate for standardized, humane guidelines for studying captive great apes, emphasizing the need for specialized care and data management. They propose a national network of facilities to support this effort, which could contribute to the survival of great ape species.
The article highlights the involvement of doctors in torture and prisoner abuse, with some institutions blurring their ethical guidance. Dr. Michael Wilks calls for a reversal of assault on international bodies like the UN to address this issue.
Research involving human stem cells in nonhuman primate brains may be necessary and effective, but oversight boards must consider six key factors to ensure ethics are maintained. The number of human cells used and animal brain size are among the factors considered.
Bioethicists who accept funding from pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may be more likely to prescribe industry drugs, even if they believe it has no influence. Researchers argue that stronger measures are needed to ensure independence and credibility in bioethics scholarship.
The Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University will launch a new genetic-testing initiative to build consensus on the safe and accurate use of genetic testing. The two-year $3 million grant aims to improve our understanding of genetic tests and their impact on public health.
Disagreements over treatment decisions between healthcare professionals, patients, and families are the top ethical challenge in Canada. Key findings include emotional end-of-life critical care cases and clashes of value systems due to cultural diversity.
Reproductive tourism in Europe allows for diverse ethical and religious views to coexist peacefully. The existing diversity in fertility laws enables people to seek treatment abroad, promoting personal freedom and democratic decision-making.
The article discusses the rise of online organ donation platforms like MatchingDonors.com, which have successfully paired donors with recipients. However, the medical community is divided over the ethics of soliciting organs online, with concerns about subverting the UNOS system and policing financial remuneration for living donors.
A new strategy, developed by the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, aims to integrate and value ethical decision-making in healthcare. The 'hub and spokes' model assigns a central ethics resource to share knowledge and guidance with frontline employees, promoting accountability and sustainability.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that the annual operating costs for medical institutional review boards (IRBs) range from $171,014 to $4,705,333. The median cost is $741,920, with low-volume institutions having the lowest IRB costs and high-volume centers benefiting from economies of scale.
The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence will explore different types of ethics to serve as a common spiritual backbone for humankind. The center will promote deep, continuous ethical discourse among students and faculty at Case Western Reserve University.
A new study identifies top 10 nanotechnology applications that can transform lives of billions worldwide, including energy production, agriculture, water treatment, disease diagnosis, and more. These innovations aim to close the gap between rich and poor nations, promoting sustainable development and improving living standards.
The new Ethics Manual revisits and expands on earlier topics, including sections on chaperones and privacy, gifts from patients, and health and human rights. The fifth edition provides an ethical framework for physicians to make complex decisions in a changing environment.
Researchers found two cases of severe anxiety and impaired psychomotor functions in male subjects who received oral cannabis, despite low blood concentrations. The study suggests that ingesting THC may produce potent metabolites that induce psychotic effects, contradicting previous expectations of safety with low doses.
A leading ethicist argues that taking part in medical research is a moral duty for the public good. He suggests changing the Declaration of Helsinki to justify compulsion in certain circumstances, citing examples like vaccination and jury service.
The US FDA proposed a document describing good clinical practices that is weaker than the Declaration of Helsinki regarding patient protections. This move has sparked concerns over US exceptionalism in research ethics, following its withdrawal from several international treaties affecting public health.
The article highlights five major types of conflict in caring for the dying patient, including physician-family, physician-nurse, and family-family conflicts. It suggests negotiating a course of treatment with all parties involved to avoid potential conflicts and emphasizes the importance of empathy in resolving disputes.
Researchers debate the ethics of commercial cord blood banking, citing logistical difficulties and low probabilities of use. While some argue for private sector involvement, others raise concerns about exploiting emotional vulnerabilities of parents for financial gain.
New brain imaging technologies have the potential to treat and diagnose depression, as well as detect fetal abnormalities. However, questions remain about their clinical implications and how they should be used in research studies.
Medical students learn to make difficult decisions with uncertainty, but also need to articulate their reasons. A new training approach helps doctors reason ethically and balance patient autonomy with societal obligations.