Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, the question is discussed if and how Healthcare Ethics Committees (HECs) should be regulated. The paper consists of two parts. First, authors from eight EC member countries describe the status quo in their respective countries, and give reasons as to the form of regulation they consider most adequate. In the second part, the country reports are analysed. It is suggested that regulation of HECs should be central and weak. Central regulation is argued to be apt to improve HECs' accountability, relevance and comparability. To facilitate biomedical citizenship and ethical reflection, regulation should at the same time be weak rather than strict. Independence of HECs to deliberate about ethical questions, and to give solicited and unsolicited advice, should be supported and only interfered with by way of exception. One exception is when circumstances become temporary adversarial to ethical deliberation in healthcare institutions. In view of European unification, steps should be taken to develop consistent policies for both Eastern and Western European countries.
Institutions: Radboud University Medical Center, University of Zagreb, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Vilnius University, Institute of Medical Ethics and Bioethics, n. f, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Oxford
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,290
OpenAlex ID: W2110665307