bioethics: issues and concerns prof. monique frize, elg5123/94.526
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Bioethics: Issues and Concerns Prof. Monique Frize, ELG5123/94.526. Definitions: Morality and ethics Codes and oaths Some current dilemmas Problems in measuring a living system Human experimentation and consent Universality in research and health services?. Definition. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Bioethics: Issues and ConcernsProf. Monique Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Definitions: Morality and ethics Codes and oaths Some current dilemmas Problems in measuring a living system Human experimentation and consent Universality in research and health services?
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Definition Morality: What people believe to be
right and good, and the reasons for it
Ethics: Study of right and wrong; of good and evil (in human conduct)
Greek: ethos = custom Latin: mos/mores = morals
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Ethical principles From ethical theories From codes of ethics (nurses,
engineers, physicians, etc…)
Code for physicians (Hypocratic oath)
Helsinki Declaration
Tri-Council principles for research on humans
Hypocratic Oath
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Some realities today... Assisted suicide is now legal in Oregon A sheep has been cloned. (A human?) Many people try alternative medicines
and therapies
We need to learn ethical decision-making.
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Examples of difficult questions
Should badly deformed infants be kept alive? When should a particular pregnancy be
terminated? Should treatment cease to allow a terminally
ill (and suffering) patient to die? How do you define death? Organ transplants; human and animal
experimentationHow decisions are made is the ethical problem-
solving
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
What is involved... Quality of life Heroic efforts Acts of mercy Patient’s (guardian’s) will
Future? ...
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Definition of death Absence of breathing (earliest); absence of the beating of the
heart (later); no reflexes; absence of a vital functioning
brain (now, add EEG) Repeat after 24 hours--no change(Valid in absence of hypothermia or
barbiturates)
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Major issues in measuring living systems (human experimentation)
1. Inaccessibility of variables to measure
2. Variability of data3. Lack of knowledge about inter-
relationships4. Inter-action among physiological
systems5. Effect of the transducer on the
measurement
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Some of the basic principles
Must have research protocol approved by an Ethics Review Committee
Conform to generally accepted scientific principles and based on solid previous evidence (lab, animal,…)
Must have the safety of the subjects in mind at all times (may need a physician present)
Importance of the objective is in proportion to inherent risk to subjects
Inform subject thoroughly and have a consent form signed
Preserve confidentiality and privacy of subjects
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Elements of informed consent
Autononous choice, competence Information disclosure Understanding Voluntariness
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Material for decision-making Purpose of experiment Benefits expected Diagnostic or therapeutic? Elective or essential? Known consequences? Probable and possible risks Alternative treatments and risks Possible consequences of refusing
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Gender equality? Not yet...
Many research experiments carried out on men only (iron loading, coffee and heart, etc..)
More angiograms and other expensive tests done on men than on women for equal risk
Higher proportion of women die after heart attack than men
Research dollars controlled by male-dominated committees and COUNCILS
M. Frize, ELG5123/94.526
Sources http://www.apnet.com/ethics/etharts.htm
http://wwwgeorgetown.edu/research/nrcbl/
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/medicalethics/
http://www.uwc.edu/fonddulac/faculty/rrigteri/biomed.htm
http://www.onlineethics.com/text/reseth/helsinki.html
http://summit.whitaker.org/white/ethics1.html