Bi-Weekly Round Up: 14th June 2021
For this bi-weekly round up, another set of diverse and ethically contentious articles and news stories for your enjoyment.
1. Withdrawal of life sustaining treatment v profound religious beliefs in sanctity of life
Concise, superb write up of a recent case within the High Court concerning the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, for the best interest of a child, in the presence of religious objections from the parents. Published on the UK Human Rights Blog by Rosalind English.
2.Ethical challenges in management of critically ill pregnant patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
An article published in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine discussing the moral management of medical uncertainty, beneficence-based obligations, and preventive ethics, when managing critically ill pregnant patients with coronavirus disease 2019.
3. Zolgensma use in the UK: World’s most expensive drug
Is there a cost that is too high for NICE to justify the approval of treatment? – Interesting question in light of recent use of Zolgensma, a drug with a list price of £1.79 million per dose.
And finally, one for those with IME membership (Sign up here).
4. ‘Why we should stop using animal-derived products on patients without their consent’
A thought provoking article by Daniel Rodger inciting reflection, that discusses the ethics of the use of animal- derived products without explicit consent- is this an ethical blind spot?