Globethics Library
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The Globethics Library digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material.2024-03-19T00:34:36ZChild-headed Households in South Africa: The Legal and Ethical Dilemmas when Children are the Primary Caregivers in a Therapeutic Relationship
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4306093
Child-headed Households in South Africa: The Legal and Ethical Dilemmas when Children are the Primary Caregivers in a Therapeutic Relationship
Andra le Roux-Kemp (17161918)
Child-headed households (CHHs) have become a common and integral part of South African society. Millions of children have lost their parents and/or primary caregivers due to a variety of reasons of which the HIV/AIDS pandemic can be singled out as a major cause. It is therefore not uncommon today to have minors (under the age of 18 years) care for their younger siblings and/or ill parents or family. A child-headed household (CHH) refers to a living situation/arrangement where a child has taken charge of a household in terms of decision-making responsibilities as well as the responsibility to provide for the physical, social and emotional needs of others living with that particular child, in that household, and regardless of familial relationship. This paper is concerned with the legal and ethical dilemmas that arise in a therapeutic relationship where a minor is the primary caregiver of a patient unable to care for him-/herself. Where do a medical practitioner’s responsibilities lie in communicating important medical information about the patient’s condition to the patient’s minor caregiver? While the patient’s rights to privacy and confidentiality are important, the patient’s particular condition and medical care may also necessitate that certain information be disclosed to the minor caregiver. However, the minor caregiver may not always be a willing party to this collaborative therapeutic relationship and the ability of such a minor to consent to medical treatment on behalf of the patient, or take on responsibilities in terms of this therapeutic relationship can also be called into question. The various therapeutic approaches, roles, skills and conditions of this unique form of agency should therefore be given due consideration from both a legal and ethical point of view.
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZPostmortem Sperm Retrieval and Assisted Reproduction: Issues without Solutions?
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4306092
Postmortem Sperm Retrieval and Assisted Reproduction: Issues without Solutions?
Nilesh K. Tumram; Rajesh V. Bardale
The issue of request for post-mortem sperm retrieval [PMSR]
for reproductive purposes has gained momentum in the recent past
in India and other countries. There are various methods for postmortem
retrieval of sperm. Modern medicine has progressed to a
stage where posthumous gamete retrieval with subsequent reproduction
has become a possibility. However, very little has been
discussed regarding guidelines orethical, social, and medical issues
related to such a procedure. The procedure is a boon for families
who might have become saddened by the untimely death of their
son. The procedure can be useful for not only the spouse of married
individuals but also to their parents. Also, such a procedure can be
very helpful to the parents of their unmarried son, who was their
sole support. However, there is no discussion of using such PMSR
techniques in married as well as unmarried individuals if requested
by close relatives. The present paper discusses the issues regarding
PMSR in deceased individuals and the various issues that may
arise.
2019-05-01T00:00:00ZEthical Dilemma involving autonomy and COVID-19 testing
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4306091
Ethical Dilemma involving autonomy and COVID-19 testing
Buowari DY
Background: In December 2019, an atypical form of pneumonia was discovered in Wuhan, China and it has spread to different parts of the world including Nigeria. Testing for the causative agent which is the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 is one of the strategies to contain the pandemic. For some reason, some patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 may refuse to be tested for the disease.
Methodology: A review of studies conducted on COVID-19 testing and ethical dilemma associated with it was done using Google Scholar, PubMed and Cochrane reviews.
Conclusion: Ethical dilemma exists in testing for COVID-19 as some patients may refuse testing even when it is necessary and they present with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. The right to autonomy according to the principles of medical ethics is necessary for every medical consultation but may not be important in pandemics as the person becomes a health threat and harmful to the public.
2021-10-01T00:00:00ZThe Distinction between Ordinary and Extraordinary Treatment: Can It Be Maintained?
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4306090
The Distinction between Ordinary and Extraordinary Treatment: Can It Be Maintained?
Kearns, Alan J.; Emmerich, Nathan; Gordijn, Bert
The distinction between ordinary and extraordinary treatment has a long history. Since it was first proposed and discussed in the medieval period, it has formed part of medical ethics, even as that discourse, and the landscape it comments on, has radically changed and developed. In this essay we briefly canvas the history of the debate on ordinary/extraordinary treatment and consider its relevance for professional medical practice in the present context.
2024-02-27T00:00:00Z