Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
The use of RFID devices in patients raises benefits such as improved patient safety and expediting access to medical records. However, risks include potential unintended consequences, including loss of privacy and accessibility issues, as well as misuse by law enforcement or other malicious actors.
A new study suggests that climate change will primarily impact the world's poor, who are least responsible for the problem, highlighting an ethical crisis. The research, led by Jonathan Patz, quantifies the relationship between carbon emissions and disease burden, revealing stark contrasts between developed and developing countries.
Experts from University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins discuss strategies for successful HPV vaccination programs, including long-term safety assessments and patient education. The authors emphasize the importance of designing programs in developing countries to combat widespread cervical cancer cases.
Researchers developed an approach based on negotiation skills to manage conflicts between physicians, patients, and families. Clinicians can use skillful negotiation techniques to reach a balanced solution that satisfies all parties.
The double issue of Critical Inquiry delves into the concept of 'the case,' analyzing its use in law, medicine, psychoanalysis, and popular culture. Key findings include the ways in which cases are constructed to frame instances or make arguments, as well as their role in shaping our understanding of norms and expertise.
Experts weigh in on the implications of personal genomics, considering what is possible now and in the future. They address potential ethical and legal issues that will arise with such technology.
As personal genomics advances, researchers caution against mass adoption due to ethical, social, and clinical concerns. The integration of genome sequences into routine clinical care poses significant challenges for healthcare systems.
A set of practical ethical guidelines for biobank research has been put forward by Swedish ethics researchers, providing a comprehensive solution to the complex regulations surrounding tissue samples. The framework balances conflicting interests and offers a peer-review process to ensure scrutiny.
The Johns Hopkins Fogarty African Research Ethics Training Program has successfully trained 23 African professionals in bioethics, enabling them to implement changes in their home countries. Trainees have made institutional changes, drafted guidelines, and raised awareness of the need for research ethics support.
A survey of over 1,000 infertility patients found 60% willing to donate their frozen embryos for stem cell research. This could lead to 2000-3000 new stem cell lines, exceeding initial estimates.
A University of Alberta study found that rural Albertans' strong work ethic and sense of place can influence their decision not to seek medical help for congestive heart failure. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, with patients often waiting days or even weeks for symptoms to subside.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers highlights the issue of inconsistent medical standards across US states, with some relying on local rules rather than national standards. This can lead to inadequate patient care, as doctors may be unsure about what constitutes standard practice in their specific jurisdiction.
A recent paper by Dartmouth Professor Ronald M. Green examines six approaches to deriving human embryonic stem cells in ways that avoid destroying living human embryos. These alternatives aim to make hESC research more universally acceptable, while respecting the sensitivities of citizens.
The CARTaGENE project aims to advance population genomics research in Quebec with $34.5M funding. The project will provide resources and infrastructure for researchers to study genes responsible for disease, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
A new meta-analysis of published research concludes that chondroitin has little effect on knee or hip pain caused by arthritis, while a clinical trial testing two different ways to treat Helicobacter pylori infection found sequential therapy cured the infection more often than standard treatment.
A unique 'barometer' gauges the ethics of research abroad by rating its compliance with laws and regulations in one's home country. Research deemed too risky or unethical, such as developing chemical weapons, falls into the red zone.
A large-scale study by Johns Hopkins University found that individuals with genetic conditions are more likely to report being denied health insurance than those with other chronic illnesses. Nearly 60% of participants believed their insurance company could access medical information without permission.
The study found that 86% of doctors feel obligated to present all options, but only 63% believe it's ethical to describe their objections. Male physicians and those who personally object to certain practices are less likely to refer patients to alternative providers.
A prototype code of ethics for life sciences aims to shape ethical practice by defining principles such as objectivity, research freedom, and virtues like duty and integrity. The code is necessary due to the high stakes of scientific advancements in human history.
Research ethics committees in Africa struggle with inadequate funding, staffing, and training, hindering their effectiveness. Despite these challenges, many RECs have shown promise by prioritizing ethics and having predictable funding.
A deadly, highly-contagious and drug-resistant mutant strain of tuberculosis is spreading rapidly in South Africa. The World Health Organization warns that the situation poses a potentially explosive international health crisis due to its contagious nature and the presence of millions of migrant laborers.
Research ethics committees in Africa often lack adequate funding, staffing and training, leading to a focus on scientific aspects over ethical considerations. The study's findings highlight the need for national policies and international support to establish and monitor research ethics committees across the continent.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.