Written by Angelique Welman
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
The Western notion of libertarian, rights-based autonomy, emphasizing individual rights, can conflict with African cultural values that prioritize communal well-being. In African communitarian ethics, collective interests often take precedence over individual choice, which can influence decision-making processes and challenge the application of standard informed consent procedures in biomedical research. This study examined the perspectives of African biomedical researchers regarding the practic
Written by Deniz Akdeniz
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
Rapid advancements in intensive care medicine and expanding technological capabilities have raised numerous ethical questions about decisions to withhold or withdraw treatment when it is deemed medically futile. This study aims to explore how intensive care physicians in Türkiye approach end-of-life decisions regarding medical futility and to provide an ethical analysis of these practices. A qualitative approach using grounded theory was applied. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conduct
Written by Lukas Lembo
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare and computerised systems influence clinical decision-making, addressing both trust in and the trustworthiness of AI tools is critical. Focusing on computational phenotyping (CP) for diagnosing rare diseases in dysmorphology, this paper investigates the conditions under which medical AI tools employing machine learning can be trusted. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 20) were conducted with stakeholders involved in designing or usin
Written by Yu Uneno
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
Clinical ethics consultation (CEC) remains limited in Japan, partly due to the absence of a structured training system. To address this, we designed an “immersive role-play (IR)” program, which incorporates immersive theater techniques into role-play learning. This approach uses professional actors and studio settings to enhance authenticity and creates a dynamic, realistic scenario flow that engages participants deeply in the role-play experience. Between 2016 and 2019, we conducted an intensiv
Written by Thi Thu Hang Le
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
The process of obtaining informed consent in clinical trials is intended to safeguard participants and support their autonomy. Nonetheless, implementing consent in a way that is truly meaningful remains a challenge in many settings, due to both practical difficulties and the influence of sociocultural dynamics. This study examined how informed consent is conducted and perceived in two clinical trials run by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in collaboration with the Hospital for Tropi
Written by Anna Bratt
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
This study investigates the ethical dimensions of Egypt’s newly enacted clinical trial legislation, employing the ethical framework of Emanuel et al. for evaluation and situating it within a comparative context alongside national and supranational laws. Given Egypt’s emergence as a high-growth pharmaceutical market, the country has become a prime location for clinical research. Its extensive population, well-established healthcare system, and largely treatment-naïve patients provide a valuable s
Written by Domenico Prisa
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
This study evaluates the activities of a Bioethics Unit (BU) over its first five years (2016–2020), examining its dual role in empirical research on clinical ethics, provision of ethics consultations, and education for healthcare professionals (HPs). We employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, using qualitative insights to contextualize initial quantitative findings. Quantitative data were extracted from the BU’s internal records and analyzed descriptively. Semi-structured intervi
Written by Tomas Musulas
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
The question of whether and how to return individual genetic findings (IGF) in biobank research continues to generate debate worldwide. Different return models are being considered, and practical frameworks for their use are gradually evolving. This study explores how both the general public and experts in Lithuania view the return of IGF and seeks to inform future strategies tailored to the Lithuanian biobank system. A mixed-methods design was applied, consisting of semi-structured interviews w
Written by Anamaria Cristina Hambețiu
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
In the protection of children’s rights, courts hold a pivotal responsibility in ensuring and upholding these rights, particularly regarding personal identity, family life, safeguarding against violence, and guaranteeing their full realization. Legal and psychological professionals recognize the pressing need to revive dialogue among specialists—magistrates/judges, prosecutors, and psychologists—since courts often represent an alien and authoritative space for children. Employing a multidisciplin
Written by Stephanie Best
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
Data access committees (DAC) serve as gatekeepers for secured genomic and associated health datasets but face increasing difficulty in managing the growing scale and complexity of data production. Automated decision support (ADS) tools have demonstrated potential in enhancing consistency, compliance, and coordination during data access review processes. Despite this, little is known about how DAC members themselves view the added value of ADS in improving the quality and efficiency of their deci
Written by Ayuk Patricia
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
Advanced Alzheimer’s disease and other late-stage dementias can lead to a prolonged, distressing terminal phase, often lasting years when caregivers continue oral feeding and hydration. Options to prevent extended dying are limited because patients with advanced dementia are ineligible for Medical Aid in Dying. Legal and medical authorities frequently require clear, convincing proof of a patient’s wish to die—something many advance directives fail to provide. Substituted judgment by proxies or a
Written by Anita Sharma
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
In Morocco, the 2015 medical education reform formally incorporated training in research ethics into the national curriculum. That same year, the country adopted a dedicated law aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of individuals involved in biomedical research. These two developments (curricular reform and new legislation) were expected to enhance future physicians’ understanding of research ethics and, in turn, strengthen their attitudes and conduct in this domain. The primary goal of
Written by Mayumi Suzuki
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
In this article, we present findings from an experimental study in reproductive ethics that examines how people think about reproduction and parenthood. Our results show that, although we often take for granted that everyone interprets these concepts—and the links between them—in the same way, this assumption may not hold. For instance, one might expect that if “x is y’s father,” then “y is x’s child” must also be true. Yet our participants did not consistently accept this inference. This sugges
Written by Yasmin Rahman
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
When researchers have an instrument that accurately captures how mothers perceive ethical conduct in childbirth, it becomes possible to design strategies that strengthen supportive and ethical maternity care attitudes. In this work, we sought to evaluate whether the Medical Ethics Attitude in Vaginal Delivery Questionnaire (MEAVDQ) adequately reflects the underlying constructs it is intended to measure. The research was conducted among 350 mothers, using the MEAVDQ as the primary data-collection
Written by Noraini Ahmad
Published in Vol 3 Issue 1, 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed substantial ethical challenges for research ethics committees (RECs), which must balance the urgent review of COVID-19 studies with careful assessment of potential risks and benefits. In Africa, these challenges are compounded by historical mistrust of research, concerns about equitable participation in COVID-19 studies, and the need to ensure fair access to treatments and vaccines. In South Africa, the prolonged absence of a National Health Research Ethics Counci
