Ethical issues in transgenics

The arguments of critics and concerns of the public on generating transgenic cloned animals are analyzed for the absence or presence of logical structure. Critics' arguments are symbolically compared with "genetic trespassing," "genetic speeding," or "going the wrong way," and responses are provided to these arguments. Scientists will be empowered to participate in the public discussion and to engage the critics on these issues as they consider thoughtful, plausible responses to their concerns. Temporary moratoriums are recognized as a plausible approach to dealing with possible concerns of new scientific advancements.     

Ethical issues in biotechnology

New ethical questions have arisen from our ability to intervene in the structure of the genome. Responsible use of this technique requires ethical evaluation in which experts, potential beneficiaries and the general public should all participate. The examples of genetically modified food and of human genetics help to illustrate the issues involved.     

Ethical and legal issues in xenotransplantation

In most western countries, there is a 'human organ shortage' with waiting lists for the performance of transplantation. In a recent report of the UNOS Ethics Committee it is stated that there are approximately 31,000 potential recipients on waiting lists, but only one fourth of potential donors gave their specific consent.
Xenotransplantation – defined as the transplantation of animal cells, tissues or organs into human beings – is associated with particular ethical dilemmas, namely the problems of efficiency and safety of this medical procedure. The objective of this study is to analyse the ethical dilemmas in xenotransplantation with the background of a personal view of moral life. Also, xenotransplantation will be evaluated as far as the legal regulation of transplantation is concerned. In particular, we will consider patients rights in accordance with existing laws on organ and tissue transplantation, animal research and clinical trials.     

Ethical issues in amniocentesis and abortion

The ethical issues surrounding amniocentesis are seen as centering on 4 focal points. First is the policy of the diagnostic treatment center. Here, 2 questions arise: Is the client involved in a high-risk pregnancy? And, if a positive diagnosis is made, will the parents consent to an abortion? Second is the role of the genetic counselor, which is seen as supportive rather than leading. He should assist the prospective parents in reaching a decision to undergo amniocentesis and possible abortion that is mutually acceptable. The prospective parents, the third focal point, may face the question of deciding what is normal. The clients must also realize the terrible strains that are put on a marriage into which a severely defective child has been born. The fourth focal point is public policy. While amniocentesis may appear to threaten some values held important in our society, the author regards the procedure as an interim solution on the road to an understanding of and ability to treat genetic defects.     

Ethical issues in ethnomusicological filmmaking

This paper investigates ethical issues which the author had to face in making a series of four ethnomusicological films in central Switzerland. Specifically related as well to an experience in filming music, the subjects considered raise questions of general concern in ethnographic filmmaking. Three main matters are discussed: revealing editing devices, which is rarely done in the film itself; the risk of the musicians becoming the laughing stock of the village if they appear to have weaknesses in their performance; and the return of research to those being studied, for their own benefit.     

Ethical issues in brain nanomedicine

Brain pathology is a perfect application field for nanotechnologies supporting the concept of nanomedicine. It implies the use of nanosized tools for diagnosis and therapy and finally the switch to nanosized disease. A good illustration is the synergistic association of functional neurosurgery to micro/nanotechnologies. The developments around electrostimulation are a good example of the lower invasivity and better therapeutical efficacy that can be achieved. Nanolevel disease detection and therapy dramatically modifies medical philosophy as well as practice. The demonstration of the validity of the concept of nanomedicine has to be done carefully and this period of validation is a precious time to solve ethical problems. Ethical issues include the problem of disease detection in “healthy patients”; the non medical use of nanotechnologies, and the acceptance of what could be a potentially uncontrollable major modification of the human body. All these items are used against nanotechnologies, thus it will be crucial to inform the public about the state of the art in nanomedicine and about the existing regulations. National and European regulations should be adequate for nanomedicine, provided there is progressive integration instead of a conservative attitude blocking experiments and progress. The European research community has a good opportunity to do that.     

Ethical issues in translational research

The translation of biomedical research knowledge to effective clinical treatment is essential to the public good and is a main focus of current health policy. However, recent health policy initiatives intended to foster the translation of basic science into clinical and public health advances must also consider the unique bioethical issues raised by the increased focus on translational research. Safety of study participants and balancing of risk due to treatment with the potential benefits of the research is tantamount. This article synthesizes theory from clinical ethics, operational design, and philosophy to provide a bioethical framework for the health policy of translational research.     

Ethical issues in animal cloning

The issue of human reproductive cloning has recently received a great deal attention in public discourse. Bioethicists, policy makers, and the media have been quick to identify the key ethical issues involved in human reproductive cloning and to argue, almost unanimously, for an international ban on such attempts. Meanwhile, scientists have proceeded with extensive research agendas in the cloning of animals. Despite this research, there has been little public discussion of the ethical issues raised by animal cloning projects. Polling data show that the public is decidedly against the cloning of animals. To understand the public's reaction and fill the void of reasoned debate about the issue, we need to review the possible objections to animal cloning and assess the merits of the anti-animal cloning stance. Some objections to animal cloning (e.g., the impact of cloning on the population of unwanted animals) can be easily addressed, while others (e.g., the health of cloned animals) require more serious attention by the public and policy makers.     

Ethical issues and GenomEUtwin.

The post-genomic era is witnessing a proliferation of large-scale and population based genetic and genomic research projects. Many countries have or are establishing research biobanks and, as with GenomEUtwin, there is great interest in building multinational projects that link genotypic and phenotypic information from different centers. Clearly, the conduct of these projects raises multiple ethical issues, and the knowledge generated will continually recast the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of such research. Maximising the scientific profit from this work while minimizing the risks to the participants requires full integration of ethics components into the structure and functioning of these projects. GenomEUtwin is organized around five intellectual cores, including an Ethics Core which operates across the entire project. This paper describes the role of the Ethics Core and presents an overview of the guidelines on which the principles followed in GenomEUtwin are based. We outline the major ethical concerns of our project and highlight complexities arising from diverse national legislations. Finally, the role of empirically based ethics research is discussed for understanding the ethical, legal, social and economic implications of human genetics and genomics research.     

Ethical issues and the family doctor

After noting several contemporary societal factors that contribute to increasing concern about bioethical issues in general, the author focuses on special problems that confront the general or family practitioner. These problems arise from the family physician's large number of potentially conflicting roles and relationships.     

Ethical issues for vaccines and immunization

Vaccination is the only type of medical intervention that has eliminated a disease successfully. However, both in countries with high immunization rates and in countries that are too impoverished to protect their citizens, many dilemmas and controversies surround immunization. This article describes some of the ethical issues involved, and presents some challenges and concepts for the global community.