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Prolonging life and allowing death: infants

Article Abstract:

The Institute of Medical Ethics holds that physicians are ultimately responsible for deciding whether to prolong or end the life of infants who, if they recover, will be disabled for life. However, the doctor is enjoined to share the decision-making burden with the caregivers, namely, parents and nurses. This is because recent court cases have given physicians and parents discretion in deciding whether the quality of life warrants prolonging the life of an infant. As a protective measure, such decisions should be recorded.

Ethical aspects, Neonatology, Right to life

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Not just autonomy - the principles of American biomedical ethics

Article Abstract:

The fourth edition of the book 'Principles of Biomedical Ethics' has yet to provide an adequate framework for addressing all bioethical issues. According to the authors, bioethics should be shaped by four principles: respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice. Their development of a theory based on American common-morality, however, results in a restricted framework for beneficence and justice as well as an absence of explicit decision rules for specification and balancing.

Bioethics

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Rational non-interventional paternalism: why doctors ought to make judgments of what is best for their patients

Article Abstract:

Physicians should consider not only medical facts but also patient-specific circumstances in order to make value judgments about the best medical care they can provide to their patients. Although somewhat paternalistic, this 'rational, non-interventional' approach is suggested because the fact-provider and shared decision-making models of health care delivery fail to take account of the moral aspects of physician practice.

Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations

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