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Bureaucracy: a moral perspectiveKoll, Sandy Gillian 10 September 2008 (has links)
In this research report, I question the moral justification of bureaucracy. After
pointing out some arguments in favour of bureaucracy and some teleological, or
result-based, arguments against bureaucracy, I pay particular attention to
deontological, or process-based, moral arguments against bureaucracy. The two main
arguments against bureaucracy that I address are (1) that bureaucracies constitute
unfair decision making procedures in democratic societies, and (2) that bureaucracies
treat their participants (both clients and workers) disrespectfully. I then give some
suggestions of what a promising alternative to bureaucracy might look like, based on
the two main arguments against bureaucracy that I consider. Ultimately, I conclude
that it is still an open question whether bureaucracy is morally justified, but that my
research brings to the fore some serious moral problems with bureaucracy that are
worth taking note of. Even if it turns out that the results of bureaucratic organisation
are so beneficial that bureaucracy is, all things considered, justified, the moral
problems that I point out in this research are worth serious consideration.
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Genomic sovereignty in South Africa: ethico-legal issuesMahesh, Kishen.P. 27 August 2014 (has links)
Thesis (M.Sc.(Med.) (Bioethics and Health Law))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014. / With the completion of the Human Genome project, advances in bioinformatics, computational biology and scientific techniques, human genetic research has established itself as a leading focus of study for many involved in the biological research world. However with all forms of research comes the relevant ethical procedure to guide these studies. Human genetic studies are especially intricate in their ethics evaluations as not only do they require biological material to be obtained from an individual or group of individuals but it in turns gives a researcher access to one’s own personal genetic code, i.e. DNA sequence. Such information has become extremely useful in identifying predispositions and causative factors for certain diseases, identifying possible phenotypic traits, clues into one’s ancestry as well as the overall potential for commercial gain by pharmaceutical companies in drug and gene therapy research and development through acts of gene patenting. Thus with the biological world completely open to exploitation, the need for various control regulations and guidelines to be further developed to address these issues persists. The main questions addressed in studies such as these are those of ownership - who does the sample belong to - access and benefit sharing should any product be developed from information gathered from these samples, consent for use of these samples outside its intended purpose as well as protection of vulnerable groups for unique genetics studies. There are four main sections in this report. First the concepts of Genomic Sovereignty and Common heritage are discussed. Following this, some philosophical theories of ownership are investigated to provide justification toward the concept of ownership with regard to the human body and international bioethical guidelines are then discussed with regard to research involving samples of human genetic material from population groups. The third section is an analysis of the law with regard to ownership, patenting and benefit sharing from research using human genetic material. The
fourth section synthesizes the information of the previous 3 sections to produce an alternate approach in dealing with research involving human genetic material from population groups.
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Ethical issues associated with using human biological material in collaborative research with developed countries: a case studySathar, Mahomed Aslam January 2011 (has links)
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, Steve
Biko Centre for Bioethics, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Medicine
In the field of Bioethics and Health Law
Johannesburg, 2011 / Although Human Biological Materials (HBMs) are invaluable resources in biomedical research, they have not been without controversy in collaborative research between developed and developing countries. The normative arm of the study compared the key ethical issues in the laws, regulations and guideline documents of developed and developing countries with regard to the use, collection, storage, export and benefit-sharing of HBMs in collaborative research with developed countries. The empirical arm of the study examined how investigators and a Research Ethics Committee (REC) at a South African institution addressed these ethical issues, implemented national and international frameworks with regard to the use of HBMs.
The majority of sponsors (59.6%, 90/151) in the study were from the USA compared to other developed countries (p=0.0001) with the bulk (65.84%) of the funds (R517.19 million) allocated for HIV research. HBMs for storage was obtained largely from adults (80.8%, 122/151) compared to children (12.6%, 19/151) [p <0.0001]. Whilst the principle investigators (PIs) of all 151 protocols informed the REC of their intent to store HBMs, only 87.4% (132/151) of PIs informed research participants (P <0.0001). In 47.7% (72/151) and 71.5 % (57/151) of protocols research participants were informed of the location and duration of storage, respectively, compared to 86% (130/151) and 19.25% (29/151) informing the REC (p < 0.0001), respectively. In 98% (149/151) of protocols informed consent (IC) was obtained from research participants with 76.8% (116/151) of protocols soliciting broad consent compared to specific consent (21.2%, 32/151) [p < 0.0001]. In the remaining 2% (3/151) of protocols IC for storage was not obtained. In 69.5% (105/151) of protocols confidentiality was maintained by a code and in 9.35% (14/151) of protocols HBMs was anonymised [p < 0.0001].
Significantly more protocols informed the REC (90/151, 59.6%) than the research participants
(67/151, 44.4%) that HBMs will be exported (p= 0.011). Separate consent forms were not
available for 60.9% (92/151) of protocols as per the requirement REC’s standard operating
procedures (SOP). In 74% (51/69) of protocols the rationale for export was to access specialised
laboratories (74%, 51/69) that were not available locally. Export permits were not available for
73.2% (109/151) of protocols. Where export permits were available, there were more exports to
the USA (31/42, 73.8%) than to Europe (26.2%, 11/42) [p < 0.0001]. In the majority of protocols
research participants were not informed of benefit sharing from any discoveries (129/151,
85.4%) or commercialisation (123/151, 81.5%) of products derived from their HBMs. Material
Transfer Agreements (MTAs) were not available for 94.7% (143/151) protocols. Whilst
122/151(80.8%) protocols disclosed the amount of funds available from the sponsors for the
research to the REC, not a single PI made such disclosures to the research participants (p <
0.0001).
The varied definitions of what constitutes HBMs, the different terminologies used to describe
identifiability, confidentiality, the different models of informed consent and different standards
of ownership in the various national and international frameworks are characterised by a maze of
definitions, laws, regulations and guidelines that are confusing, conflicting and defy
generalisation. International and national laws, regulations and guidelines are fragmented and
lack harmonisation. Most developing countries are in favour of severe restrictions on the use of
their HBMs in collaborative research with developed countries. The protocols in the empirical
study did not adequately address the inter-related ethical issues of export, storage, IC,
commercialisation and benefit sharing derived from HBMs that are currently the subject of intense debate and controversy and central to the access to HBMs in collaborative research with developed countries. Because the empirical study is limited by the use of a convenient sample, the results cannot be generalised to other RECs in South Africa. Nevertheless, the data gives some credibility to the anecdotal evidence that HBMs are leaving the country unaccounted for without export permits and MTAs in place. Given the long delays in harmonizing and publishing new regulations and changes, outdated regulations and regulatory frameworks create opportunities for the proliferation of undesirable and unethical practices. Omissions in the RSA regulatory and ethical frameworks with regard to HBMs and Tissue Biobanking are concerning and require urgent action.
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Do undergraduate heathcare students have to disclose their academic status to patients when involved in their care?Van Niekerk, Martha Susanna 25 March 2014 (has links)
Using patients in the training of healthcare students is required by the World Federation of Medical Educators. South African legal instruments such as the Constitution and the National Health Act recognise patients’ right to autonomy. This descriptive, analytical study investigated whether patients should be informed that the person involved in their care is a student. International studies and the ethical guidelines of regulating bodies support informing patients of the academic status of persons participating in their care. While patients are willing to participate in the training of healthcare students, they do not waive their right to informed consent. South African health care practitioners are increasingly required to disclose non-medical information to patients, such as treatment costs. Patients should be informed about the academic status of persons involved in their care and have the right to refuse to participate in medical education. The HPCSA should draw up guidelines to support this.
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Ethico-legal inquiry into strike action by doctors in KenyaMuhudhia, Stephen Ombok January 2017 (has links)
A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfillment
for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine: Bioethics and Health Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
January 2017 / Doctors serving in public health services in Kenya under the employment of the Government
went on strike in December 2011 and September 2012. The strikes were national and doctors
withdrew all their services including attending to emergencies in hospitals. The reasons for the
strikes were poor salaries, poor working conditions and poor state of public health services. The
aim of this research was to analyse legal and ethical aspects of the strikes by doctors in Kenya
and to explore ways to minimize harm to patients and society. The research examined the
circumstances and contexts of the strike to enable an understanding of the status of health
services and the nature of the demands by doctors. Kenyan laws relating to strikes were analysed
to ascertain legal compliance or violations during the strikes. Obligations of the medical
profession and ethical codes and rules of conduct for doctors were discussed in relation to the
strike. Ethical theories of deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics were applied to
establish moral justification or lack thereof.
Analysis of the legal provisions of the Labour Relations Act No.14 of 2007 revealed that it did
not provide adequate processes for resolving trade disputes involving workers and employers in
essential services. Suggestions were made on some ways to improve the conciliation process to
foster appropriate resolution of disputes before strike action becomes necessary. Examination of
the reasons for the strikes and status of public health services revealed that there were compelling
reasons and circumstances for the strike action by doctors. It was acknowledged that harm and
benefits resulted from the strikes. Some grounds for moral justification of the strikes were
discussed and found valid. However, comprehensive justification of the strikes was difficult,
considering the professional and ethical obligations of doctors to society and to patients. In
particular the withdrawal of emergency services made it difficult to find moral justification for
the doctors‟ strikes. Failure to provide emergency services expunged any moral justification for
strike action. / MT2017
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Whistle blowing in clinical research: some perspectives from good clinical practice and the role of research ethics committeesAfrica, Lorraine January 2011 (has links)
In partial fulfilment of the degree of MSc Med (Bioethics &
Health Law) Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg,
December 2011 / ‘Whistle blowing’ means to blow a whistle calling attention to
practices which an individual considers as immoral or illegal and
harmful to the public. Some people think whistle blowing is a good or
right act; others consider it wrong. There are numerous reports
concerning blowing the whistle in scientific research. I place whistle
blowing in the context of institutions, focusing on good clinical
practice and Research Ethics Committees. Many research activities
take place resulting in monetary and personal gain which may
influence research conduct. I explore some issues in the
development and organization of Research Ethics Committees,
discuss the nature of whistle blowing and whistle blowers, and
examine some whistle blowing incidents in scientific research. I
conclude that although the function of Research Ethics Committees
does not necessarily include mechanisms for whistle blowing, that
this idea has merit and should be considered.
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The ethics of assisted dyingBagley, Elizbeth Ann 28 July 2016 (has links)
No description available.
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Moral enhancement and personal autonomy.Venter, Lucas 03 October 2013 (has links)
In this thesis, I examine the extent to which moral enhancement, the biomedical alteration of an
individual’s disposition to act according to good or bad motives, will in uence his capacity for selfgovernance.
Following a discussion of the salient features of moral enhancement, a plausible list of
conditions against which to measure the compatibility of moral enhancement with personal autonomy
is expounded. e core elements of moral enhancement are weighed against these conditions in order
to establish the ways in which these core elements are compatible with the conditions of personal
autonomy.
I argue that moral enhancement need not lead to a diminishment of personal autonomy, provided it
serves merely as a mechanism to help an agent overcome the deterministic limitations that prevent him
from bringing his lower-order desires into conformity with the higher-order desires that he has arrived
at through independent, thoughtful deliberation.
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Ecological Virtue Ethics: Towards Conversion and Environmental ActionTan, Gregory January 2017 (has links)
Thesis advisor: James T. Bretzke / Thesis advisor: Andrea Vicini / This thesis argues that, in order to address adequately the ecological crisis, humanity needs to change drastically soon from ecologically harmful to ecologically friendly attitudes and practices. In our Christian understanding, this change requires a conversion from ecological vices to ecological virtues. To do so, humanity needs to move away from its overtly anthropocentric concerns to a more genuine respect for creation. Drawing from Church tradition, this thesis establishes that creation has rights, endowed by the Creator, that need to be protected, if ecological integrity is to be preserved. This thesis suggests what these rights should be and the means that would allow their protection. I then argue that, for the necessary changes in human behaviour to take places, ecological conversion needs to begin with individual conversion before social transformation is possible. This thesis, therefore, proposes the ecological virtues needed for individual conversion, and then ecological social action and advocacy. Thus, this thesis charts a course forward from principles, to motivations, and finally, to action. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.
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Catholic Contributions to an Ethics of Responsibility toward CreationTatay Nieto, Jaime January 2011 (has links)
Thesis advisor: Stephen Pope / Agendas in ethics are often set by questions raised in the wider society. The growth and flourishing of environmental ethics is a good example of this phenomenon. In recent decades, the growing concern among scientists, politicians, economists, and the media regarding the future of life on the planet has raised all kinds of questions about the origin of the so-called ecological crisis. Complex analyses and different sets of solutions have followed. Yet the problems seem far from being solved. Ethicists and theologians have joined the conversation and have also proposed interpretations and complex, often contradictory, solutions to the problems raised by this crisis. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.
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