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Biomedical subjects

A Mavroforou

Publications and source records attributed to A Mavroforou.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The British Abortion Act (1967) and the interests of the foetus.

This article examines ethical issues on the rights and interests of the unborn foetus, an issue that remains highly contentious. Furthermore, it attempts to investigate how well the British legislation fits with the foetus and pregnant woman's rights and interests. "Pro-life" and "pro-choice" groups have provided extensive arguments for and against. One important theoretical issue rests on whether foetuses are human beings in the moral sense, in which all human beings have full and equal moral rights. What constitutes personhood is a matter of moral decision and is not one of scientific fact and thus it consists of all persons, rather than all genetically human entities. It is persons who invent moral rights and who are capable of respecting them. Legislators in Britain have sidestepped the ethical debate on abortion by opting for the pragmatic course of permitting abortion in a limited range of circumstances and thus the Abortion Act 1967 has failed to address the status of the foetus, or indeed the rights of any of the parties concerned. Thus, although the Act supports the interests of the foetus capable of free existence by lowering the foetal age to 24 weeks after which termination is not permissible, the legislators have accepted that the rights of the woman outweigh those of the foetus and if a woman's own life or health is in danger then even a late abortion is the best choice.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed2006

Consent for organ and tissue retention in British law in the light of the Human Tissue Act 2004.

The experience from the scandals in hospitals at Liverpool and Bristol in the UK where retention of tissue and organs was undertaken without the consent of the parents and relatives raised serious concerns regarding the efficacy of the existing Human Tissue Act 1961, in England and the operation of the law by medical practitioners. In the aftermath of these damaging scandals a combination of public distrust and government overreaction has led to the enactment of new legislation, the Human Tissue Act 2004, which is aiming to prevent any further instances of the retention of organs and tissue from dead children or adults without their next of kin's consent or knowledge. However, scientists have expressed concerns that such changes might seriously endanger several medical research programmes, and also tissue and organ donation for transplantation. The aim of this article is to highlight important issues raised by existing practice in the post-mortem examinations in the UK and the lessons learnt from this and to discuss the benefits and the potential problems arising from the new Act.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2005

Forensic pathology--de profundis.

This review of the literature discusses the evolution of the professional role of the forensic pathologist. This role is defined as that of an expert who mainly assists the legal process of investigating suspicious or unexpected deaths. The forensic pathologist is independent, bringing his expertise to various parts of the judicial process. His role in the development of forensic investigation and promotion of human rights is important.

Criminology↗
PubMed2004

Organ and tissue transplantation in Greece: the law and an insight into the social context.

Advances in biological sciences and medicine have revolutionized current practice and opened new horizons. Tissue and organ transplantation is a miracle and an action of love and sacrifice for the sake of fellow human beings. Organ transplantation has been commonplace over the last decade but Greece still remains the lowest numerically among European countries in this field because of the lack of organ donation although it is highest in traffic accidents. Despite this, the legal framework regulating transplantation was enacted late in comparison to other European countries, and was not the only obstacle to the development of organ donation. Several other factors such as philosophy, culture, traditional and religious attitudes, lack of public information and lack of the relevant social fabric, have all contributed to the current sad situation. This article aims to present a critical view on the evolution of the legal framework in the field of tissue and organ transplantation in Greece. Issues that still deter organ donation are discussed along with an insight into the current situation in the Greek social context in order to make a constructive contribution to future perspectives.

Greece↗
PubMed2002

The importance of communication between physicians and patients. Special considerations in the era of endovascular therapy.

Most of the lawsuits in medical practice are the result of inadequate communication between doctors and patients and litigation has very little to do with errors. In the era of the technological development and the implementation of new techniques such as endovascular therapy, good communication between physicians and patients is essential. The purpose of this review is to elicit important considerations on challenging issues relating to the art of communication between physicians and patients and to provide information on what the vascular surgeon or interventionalist should bear in mind in obtaining an adequate informed consent from the patients.

Communication↗