Sensible discussion in bioethics: reflections on interdisciplinary research.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bioethical Issues↗
Biomedical subjects
Vilhjálmur Arnason
Publications and source records attributed to Vilhjálmur Arnason.
[Authorization for database research].
It was characteristic of the discussion about the Icelandic Health Sector Database that its proponents laid heavy emphasis on technical security of health care information while the issue of consent for participation in the database was for them of minor significance. It was decided to have a policy of presumed consent which I find flawed from a moral standpoint. However, I do not agree with those critics who have demanded that informed consent for participation in research be obtained. While I think that explicit individual consent is of crucial significance, I argue that the traditional demand for informed consent is neither suitable nor desirable in this case. I argue that different types of consent are appropriate for obtaining genealogical, genetic and health care information that can be connected in database research. I describe an idea of a written authorization based on general information about intended research as an alternative to informed consent and presumed consent for the use of healthcare information. I also propose a more restricted authorization as an alternative to informed consent and open consent to the use of genetic information in database research.
Ethics, Research↗
[The use of embryonic stem cells for medical-therapeutical purposes: a study of attitudes among Icelandic physicians, lawyers and clergymen.].
OBJECTIVE: To study the bioethical standpoints among three groups of Icelandic professionals in relation to the use of embryonic stem cells for medical-therapeutical purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In June 2002, a questionnaire was sent by mail to a random sample of 284 doctors and 293 lawyers, as well as all 168 practicing clergymen in Iceland. The participants' position in relation to the use of embryonic stem cells for therapeutical purposes was elicited through general questions as well as case examples. 290 questionnaires (39%) were returned. RESULTS: 62% of participants believed the embryo to have an ethical status superior to that of biologically comparable life forms. 20% of respondents considered its status as equal to that of a grown human being, whilst 18% considered it equal to biologically comparable primitive life forms. There was a difference between the respondent groups (p<0,05). A vast majority believed the use of embryonic stem cells for therapeutical purposes to be justifiable, although the origin of the stem cells appeared to make a difference to many respondents. 8% of participants took an unconditional position against the use of embryonic stem cells. Among those who considered the use of embryonic stem cells with a therapeutic aim to be justifiable, 71% believed that embryonic stem cells should only be utilized to treat diseases of a severe nature. 64% of participants defended the idea of therapeutic cloning with the intention to treat a patient with Parkinson's disease, but the case history elicited considerable difference between professional groups. Clergymen and lawyers tended to hold firmer attitudes, clergymen against and lawyers for the use of stem cells, whilst medical doctors as a group positioned themselves more towards the middle. Female respondents generally took a more modest stand whilst males were more likely to take a firmer stand in both directions. A vast majority (87%) of the participants believed there to be a need for public debate in relation to the use of embryonic stem cells for therapeutical purposes. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants views in relation to the use of embryonic stem cells for medical purposes were rather liberal. There were however significant differences between professional groups. The relatively high tolerance in regard to therapeutic cloning is interesting in view of the considerable controversy over this topic in many countries. There appears to be fertile ground for a public debate about the use of embryonic stem cells for medical purposes in Iceland.
English Abstract↗