Document Detail


The cost of autonomy: estimates from recent advances in living donor kidney transplantation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20211995     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Autonomy, an individual's right to make personal decisions regarding his/her own health, represents one of the major ethical principles of medicine. While there are many examples citing the benefits this right provides for the individual, the impact that personal healthcare decisions have on others is often neglected. Here, evidence from end-stage renal disease is reviewed to hypothesise the creation of a universal kidney donation programme that although provides unparalleled benefits to its citizens, relies on the participation of a large proportion of the society. Given that this essay also addresses the public's major concerns regarding kidney donation, one of the only remaining implementation barriers is the individuals' right not to participate. Therefore, irrespective of the humane and complex emotionally laden reasons for not enrolling in such programmes, this essay provides some estimates of the significant resource and quality of life costs associated with autonomy. Assuming humans are competent to make informed personal healthcare choices, similar to recent efforts to increase awareness about the negative impact of certain lifestyle choices on global warming, citizens should also be better informed about the medical costs their autonomy has on society.
Authors:
Phedias Diamandis
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of medical ethics     Volume:  36     ISSN:  1473-4257     ISO Abbreviation:  J Med Ethics     Publication Date:  2010 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-09     Completed Date:  2010-08-10     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7513619     Medline TA:  J Med Ethics     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  155-9     Citation Subset:  E; IM    
Affiliation:
Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Canada. p.diamandis@utoronto.ca
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Informed Consent / psychology
Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
Kidney Transplantation / psychology*
Living Donors / psychology*
Patient Rights / ethics
Personal Autonomy*
Program Development*
Tissue and Organ Procurement / organization & administration*,  standards
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Canadian Institutes of Health Research

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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