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Chapter 4 - Ethics of fetal therapy

from Section 1 - General principles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2013

By
Frank A. Chervenak  and
Laurence B. McCullough
Edited by
Mark D. Kilby ,
Anthony Johnson  and
Dick Oepkes
Mark D. Kilby
Affiliation:
Department of Fetal Medicine, University of Birmingham
Anthony Johnson
Affiliation:
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Dick Oepkes
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center
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Summary

Introduction

This volume addresses the rapidly evolving discipline of fetal therapy, including both non-invasive and invasive methods. It is obvious that ethics is an essential dimension of this enterprise [1–3]. Less than optimal consideration of the ethical dimensions and processes of fetal therapy can have serious clinical sequelae for pregnant women, fetal patients, and future children. Ongoing research is crucial in any evolving area of clinical practice and this is especially true in fetal therapy. In this chapter we therefore provide an ethical framework to guide clinical investigation and the translation of its results into clinical practice. In the first section of this chapter we provide an ethical framework for fetal therapy in both clinical research and practice. On the basis of this ethical framework, we then provide ethically justified criteria for innovation, clinical investigation, and the responsible transition from clinical investigation to clinical practice.

An ethical framework for fetal therapy

Medical ethics

Ethics can be defined as the disciplined study of morality. Medical ethics is the disciplined study of morality in medicine and has been part of the history of medicine globally since ancient times [4]. Medical ethics identifies the ethical obligations of physicians and healthcare organizations to patients as well as the obligations of patients [5]. There are multiple sources of morality in pluralistic societies and across societies. These include law, local and regional history, the world’s religions, ethnic and cultural traditions, families, personal experience, and the traditions and practices of medicine, including medical education and training.

Keywords

pregnant womanhealthcare organizationsmedical ethicsphysicianfetal therapybeneficence principleclinical research
Type
Chapter
Information
Fetal Therapy
Scientific Basis and Critical Appraisal of Clinical Benefits
 , pp. 39 - 44
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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References

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