The CRISPR editing method is revolutionary. This technique opens the possibility of countless operations in the genome of living beings. However, the risks are high and, in some cases, unpredictable. Therefore, based on...The CRISPR editing method is revolutionary. This technique opens the possibility of countless operations in the genome of living beings. However, the risks are high and, in some cases, unpredictable. Therefore, based on an anthropology that recognizes the human person with an inherent dignity that includes the body, this article intends to propose bases for a regulation capable of facing the challenge of CRISPR, especially, given the possibility of confusing its therapeutic resource with the eugenics, also before the imminent risk of unleashing unforeseen consequences such as mutations, malformations and side effects that could be devastating for human life.
What is the ecological value of the indigenous ways of life? For several years now, there has been a widespread conviction, at the institutional and academic levels, that indigenous or native ways of life are a resource...What is the ecological value of the indigenous ways of life? For several years now, there has been a widespread conviction, at the institutional and academic levels, that indigenous or native ways of life are a resource for biodiversity conservation. In contrast to this idea, which leads to strategies with significant implicit dangers, this article defends the thesis that the way of life of the original peoples is a valuable experience that contributes to enhance the necessary wisdom to sustain those actions aimed to genuinely repair the current fracture between humanity and nature. With this in mind, the author explores ecofeminist proposals that offer grounds for acknowledging authority over experiences that have remained at the periphery of the modern mainstream: precisely those that are carried out by indigenous peoples.
The authors make an interdisciplinary approach to prostitution, with emphasis on women. From the psychological point of view, they adopt a systemic approach, and validate the expression ″persons in prostitution situation...The authors make an interdisciplinary approach to prostitution, with emphasis on women. From the psychological point of view, they adopt a systemic approach, and validate the expression ″persons in prostitution situation″; they review the state of the art in legal matters and public policies, making a critical analysis based on the tradition of realistic thinking. They argue that one of the fundamental issues involved is the unity of the human person and the role that intimacy plays in it, polemicizing against usual objections. Finally, they state their conclusions, which implies affirming that prostitution considers human person as object, and therefore it is contrary to her or his dignity.
Lately, number of divorces is increasing, nevertheless, a parents' divorce can become a traumatic problem for paediatric patients. Consequently, the aim of this study was to analyze the ethical conflicts that appear in t...Lately, number of divorces is increasing, nevertheless, a parents' divorce can become a traumatic problem for paediatric patients. Consequently, the aim of this study was to analyze the ethical conflicts that appear in the relationship between physician/parents/son/daughter, and more specifically those that a divorce generates. A descriptive study was developed through a survey composed by 39 items. Previously, an exhaustive bibliographic analysis was carried out. Our results show that only 35% of paediatricians interviewed have been educated in bioethics although this issue is important in daily practice. Other items show that 57,5% would not cancel a pharmacological treatment in order to improve quality of life. Also, they would react against a wrong parents' decision (82,5%). They give low value to the minor`s decision (6,05%), and rarely inform exclusively to adolescents (5%). In contrast, paediatricians sometimes ask to adolescents (20%) in first place and involved them to decide in 90% of cases. Besides, there are differences in the relation with fathers and mothers, 17,5% of mothers are informed exclusively, a fact that never happens with fathers. Ethics has an intrinsic value very important in daily clinical decisions in order to respect the rules and to adapt them to the situation of every paediatric patient. When an important ethical conflict become, as a divorce is, it is essential to know who must be informed and the rights everyone has to make a decision. It is complicated to the paediatricians yet to develop 41/2002 law for Patient's autonomy.
Gender was an important component in the May '68 revolution. However, what was originally proposed as an effort for equality and the defense of the legitimate prerogatives of women, evolved into a movement, gender post-f...Gender was an important component in the May '68 revolution. However, what was originally proposed as an effort for equality and the defense of the legitimate prerogatives of women, evolved into a movement, gender post-feminism, which it set aside their real interests and needs, pursuing other, even contradictory, goals. This article tries to justify the previous statement, starting from some of the main currents of thought what were at the base of the revolution.
The crisis in the health system caused by COVID-19 has left some important humanitarian deficits on how to care for the sick in their last days of life. The humanization of the dying process has been affected in three fu...The crisis in the health system caused by COVID-19 has left some important humanitarian deficits on how to care for the sick in their last days of life. The humanization of the dying process has been affected in three fundamental aspects, each of which constitutes a medical and ethical duty necessary. In this study, I analyze why dying accompanied, with the possibility of saying goodbye and receiving spiritual assistance, constitutes a specific triad of care and natural obligations that should not be overlooked - even in times of health crisis - if we do not want to see human dignity violated and violated some fundamental rights derived from it.
With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of a possible lack of care for the elderly in nursing homes became evident. We summarize the experience of a multidisciplinary team with volunteer professionals from di...With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of a possible lack of care for the elderly in nursing homes became evident. We summarize the experience of a multidisciplinary team with volunteer professionals from different specialties who carried out support for healthcare professionals in nursing homes. This team was implemented from both Primary and Specialty Care managements. Its work paradigm was proposed by our home hospitalization team, which included direct care of the most complex patients and general counselling on isolation, hygiene and preventive measures within the nursing homes. Thanks to this support, the elderly population placed there, with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19, received adequate care from an interdisciplinary team, which led part of the pressure to be released from their professional workers, and many family members were aware that there was no neglect of the elderly. Commitment from various levels of care in a coordinated effort has prevented a vulnerable population from being left unattended during the pandemic.
The crisis in the health system caused by COVID-19 has left some important humanitarian deficits on how to care for the sick in their last days of life. The humanization of the dying process has been affected in three fu...The crisis in the health system caused by COVID-19 has left some important humanitarian deficits on how to care for the sick in their last days of life. The humanization of the dying process has been affected in three fundamental aspects, each of which constitutes a medical and ethical duty necessary. In this study, I analyze why dying accompanied, with the possibility of saying goodbye and receiving spiritual assistance, constitutes a specific triad of care and natural obligations that should not be overlooked - even in times of health crisis - if we do not want to see human dignity violated and violated some fundamental rights derived from it.
The article deals with the analysis of the criteria for the allocation of scarce health resources during the pandemic produced by the COVID 19 virus in Spain. It critically analyses the absence of a legal-constitutional...The article deals with the analysis of the criteria for the allocation of scarce health resources during the pandemic produced by the COVID 19 virus in Spain. It critically analyses the absence of a legal-constitutional perspective in the elaboration of such criteria and suggests the incorporation of the criterion of equity as a guarantee of the effective exercise of the constitutional right to health protection by vulnerable persons.
In this paper present, from a bioethical perspective, a reflection on how to reconcile efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with the safeguard of human rights. To do this, I develop three points. First, the regulatory...In this paper present, from a bioethical perspective, a reflection on how to reconcile efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with the safeguard of human rights. To do this, I develop three points. First, the regulatory framework that justifies the restriction or suspension of rights in the face of serious threats to public health. Second, the declarations of the international bioethics committees on the way in which human rights should be protected during public health crisis. And third, a review of the main rights threatened both by the public health crisis and by the means adopted to combat it. Before going into each of these points, I offer a preliminary note to clarify certain legal concepts and underline the need to overcome disjunctive approaches in considering human rights.
The public health crisis caused by COVID-19 disease has bring again to the public arena the old debate of the role in decision-making process of politics and science. In this paper we analyze, in the context of the curre...The public health crisis caused by COVID-19 disease has bring again to the public arena the old debate of the role in decision-making process of politics and science. In this paper we analyze, in the context of the current pandemics, how politics has left a stellar role for science, either because science has anticipated in its proposals to politics, or because politics has opted for it as a premeditated strategy. The references to the opinion of scientists as a decision-making criterion or, furthermore, their presence as true spokesmen for authority have been so frequent. This means rediscovering science and health as instruments of power, in terms that remind us of what Foucault denounced almost fifty years ago with his Biopolitics.
The crisis of COVID-19 leaves us a teaching in the form of reminiscence. We do not learn anything new from it, but it reminds us of something we knew and forgot. It shows us in a new light our vulnerability, the impossib...The crisis of COVID-19 leaves us a teaching in the form of reminiscence. We do not learn anything new from it, but it reminds us of something we knew and forgot. It shows us in a new light our vulnerability, the impossibility of protecting ourselves perfectly through prediction and control. The sciences do not predict with certainty and the technologies do not manage to have everything under control, although the former and the latter have many other and worthwhile functions. Ideologies do not see the future, no matter how much they pretend to do so. However, we are not without reliable guidance in deciding our actions. This orientation must be sought in being, not in the future. It is fidelity to our common human nature that must advise us. It is the full realization of our personal being, of our peculiar vocation, that guides us. So, the means for self-realization consists in the development of a virtuous character. The same character that has mitigated the ravages of the pandemic, given that, to some degree, it was already present in many of our fellow citizens. The same that would have alleviated the suffering even more if it had been available in more people and to a greater degree.
Beyond the utopian or dystopian scenarios that accompany the progressive introduction of robots for care in daily environments, their use in the medical field entails controversies that require alternative forms of ethic...Beyond the utopian or dystopian scenarios that accompany the progressive introduction of robots for care in daily environments, their use in the medical field entails controversies that require alternative forms of ethical responsibility. From this general objective, in this article we propose a series of reflections to articulate an ethical framework capable of orienting the introduction and use of robots in the field of health. The presented proposal is developed from a series of considerations about robots and care, as a starting point to develop an ethical framework based on the principle of precaution and measured action. It proposes a non-essentialist conceptualization of robots, that emphasizes their relational and contextual nature, understanding robots as heterogeneous artifacts that are constituted in a network of therapeutic relationships and that mediate our care relationships. This approach has a set of implications, which we articulate around measured action as an ethical proposal. The measured action, in our interpretation, responds to the principle of precaution and is configured through four dimensions: (1) the institutional commitment, (2) which integrates the fears and hopes of all those concerned actors, (3) which is realized carrying out progressive and revocable actions, under continuous monitoring and evaluation, and (4) which incorporates into the design process those actors practicing ″good care″.
In this article some works by Julian Huxley are analyzed with the intention of understanding the meaning that he gave to the word transhumanism. Huxley's intellectual search throughout his work as a scientist and as a hu...In this article some works by Julian Huxley are analyzed with the intention of understanding the meaning that he gave to the word transhumanism. Huxley's intellectual search throughout his work as a scientist and as a humanist led him to transform his idea until he found the right word. The essence of his philosophical and religious concern is that he always looked for ways to transcend the limits of human nature. For the British biologist, the religious-scientific mission that supposes the belief in transhumanism leads to the conviction that the human being will be able to transcend his status as a species in order to concentrate all the fragments of his conscience in a total cosmic self-consciousness that gives fullness to the universal and unique substance of which it is a part.
The different legal status of human being and animals is a consequence of their different ontological status. Human being has dignity, which requires the recognition of rights that ensure a dignified life. The animal lac...The different legal status of human being and animals is a consequence of their different ontological status. Human being has dignity, which requires the recognition of rights that ensure a dignified life. The animal lacks dignity, but it must be protected by law, even though it does not have recognized rights. This study focuses on the ontological main differences between human being and animals, differences that nowadays can be tested empirically by the data provided by paleoanthropology. Human rights, based on dignity, are the guarantee that human being can develop exclusive capabilities to their way of being and that animals lack.
We present a review of bioethical aspects of limiting patients 65 years or older to lung transplantation. Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option in patients with severe advanced respiratory diseases, progressive de...We present a review of bioethical aspects of limiting patients 65 years or older to lung transplantation. Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option in patients with severe advanced respiratory diseases, progressive despite medical treatment to prolong the expected survival. It is an aggressive surgical treatment, and the patient must complete a lifelong immunosuppressive treatment. Given the donor shortage, access to this treatment is regulated by organ transplant societies, which develop patient selection guidelines. One contraindication to transplantation has been the age of 65 years, sustained by the poor results of older patients and following utilitarian bioethics concept. For the time being there is no unified selection criteria to identify older patients susceptible to have a worse outcome after transplantation. Applying a personalist bioethics, we propose to use selection criteria based on frailty scales to identify those frail patients more likely to die after the transplant procedure.