Browsing by Author "Osswald, Walter"
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- Bernardo Domingos Gonçalves DominguesPublication . Osswald, Walter
- Clonagem: conceitos e questõesPublication . Osswald, Walter
- Daniel Callahan: um filósofo moralPublication . Osswald, Walter
- Doença mental: um desafio e uma esperançaPublication . Osswald, Walter
- Espírito, espiritualidades, novas tendências?Publication . Osswald, Walter
- Ethical guidance on human embryonic and fetal tissue transplantation: a European overviewPublication . Carvalho, Ana Sofia; Osswald, Walter; Wert, G. de; Berghmans, R. L. P.; Boer, G. J.; Andersen, S.; Brambati, B.; Dierickx, K.; Elliston, S.; Nunez, P.; Vicari, M.This article presents an overview of regulations, guidelines and societal debates in eight member states of the EC about a) embryonic and fetal tissue transplantation (EFTT), and b) the use of human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) for research into cell therapy, including 'therapeutic' cloning. There appears to be a broad acceptance of EFTT in these countries. In most countries guidance has been developed. There is a 'strong' consensus about some of the central conditions for 'good clinical practice' regarding EFTT. International differences concern, amongst others, some of the informed consent issues involved, and the questions whether an intermediary organisation is necessary, whether the methods of abortion may be influenced by the possible use of EFT, and whether EFTT should only be used for the experimental treatment of rare disorders. The potential use of hES cells for research into cell therapy has given a new impetus to the debate about (human) embryo research. The therapeutic prospects with regard to the retrieval and research use of hES cells appear to function as a catalyst for the introduction of less restrictive regulations concerning research with spare embryos, at least in some European countries. It remains to be seen whether the prospect of treating patients suffering from serious disorders with transplants produced by therapeutic cloning will decrease the societal and moral resistance to allowing the generation of embryos for 'instrumental' use.
- Instituto de Bioética da Universidade Católica PortuguesaPublication . Araújo, Joana; Carvalho, Ana Sofia; Gomes, Carlos Costa; Jácomo, António; Osswald, Walter
- Medical paternalism or parental autonomy in decision makingPublication . Silva, Ernestina Maria Batoca; Osswald, WalterHealth care providers and parents may have distinctive roles in the decision-making process regarding the care and treatment of premature babies. In this paper, we explore the process of decision making among doctors, nurses, and parents in premature care units (neonatal intensive care unites, NICUs) located in the central region of Portugal. Forty-one semistructured interviews with doctors, nurses, and mothers were conducted and analyzed. There is evidence that the medical teams provide a considerable amount of information to parents of premature babies, although sometimes unfavorable prognostic data are omitted. Mothers showed a high degree of confidence in the skill and knowledge of the medical professionals and accepted the latter’s role in making decisions regarding the care and treatment of their premature babies. Only when invasive procedures or surgery were serious possibilities was something resembling written informed consent obtained. Ethics committees were seldom consulted. The results show that in the region surveyed, parents neither are invited nor appear to demand a role in making medical decisions that affect their babies. No conflicts between medical providers and parents were detected, suggesting that informed consent and the participation of parents in medical decisions regarding the care and treatment of their babies are not considered necessary or useful in this particular area by the respective parties, in contrast with the tenets of autonomy-based ethics.