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Biomedical subjects

N Holtug

Publications and source records attributed to N Holtug.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Does justice require genetic enhancements?

It is argued that justice in some cases provides a pro tanto reason genetically to enhance victims of the genetic lottery. Various arguments--both to the effect that justice provides no such reason and to the effect that while there may be such reasons, they are overridden by certain moral constraints--are considered and rejected. Finally, it is argued that justice provides stronger reasons to perform more traditional medical tasks (treatments), and that therefore genetic enhancements should not play an important role in a public health care system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Decisions about life and death. An empirical study of the position of Danish physicians concerning end-of-life decisions].

In a postal questionnaire investigation of experiences and attitudes concerning end-of-life decisions among Danish physicians, most of the respondents reported having made decisions involving the hastening of a patient's death, and considered this acceptable. Such decisions were more frequent, and were considered ethically more acceptable, when made with the patient's informed consent than without. Of the respondents, two per cent had participated in assisted suicide, and five per cent had administered a lethal injection at the patient's request, practices considered ethically acceptable by 37 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, of the respondents. The most frequently cited reasons for opposing such practices were double effect principle, the active killing/allowed-death distinction, and the sanctity of life; and the most frequently cited justifications were respect for the patient's autonomy, the avoidance of unnecessary suffering, and the patient's right to a death with dignity.

Decision Making↗