Religion and healthcare in the European Union : policy issues and trends

92 p. ; 24 cm.Libro ElectrónicoThe impact of religious doctrine on the law, policy and practice of healthcare is becoming increasingly significant for a whole range of issues – from euthanasia to fertility treatment; from belief-based exemption from performing abortion for doctors to the medication and dietary needs of religious patients; from organ donation to contraception; from circumcision to suicide. The relationship between religion and healthcare has a long history of evoking tension and debate in Europe. While developments in medical technologies and techniques question the religious beliefs of policy-makers, practitioners and patients across the European Union, research into the legal and policy responses by EU member states on such issues remains underdeveloped. The challenge of health policy, which is common across the European Union, is to balance fundamental human rights such as the right to equality, the right to health and the right to freedom of religion while adhering to secular principles. This report aims to map out the major issues at stake and to initiate a broader discussion on how the religious needs of the community, religious doctrine and religious practices across the European Union affect public health policy.Preface: The ‘Religion and Democracy in Europe’ initiative 7 About the authors 8 Introduction 9 Background 9 Purpose and conceptual framework 10 Terms, scope, methodology and structure 13 Summary of recommended main policy questions for further development 16 1 The legal and policy context in the European Union 17 1.1 European Union law 17 1.2 National law and policy 18 2 The influence of religion on national healthcare policy development 21 2.1 Conflict of duty in health‑service provision 22 2.1.1 Does national healthcare policy permit belief‑based exemption? 23 2.1.2 Scope and limits of belief‑based exemption in healthcare 23 2.1.3 Safeguards 27 2.2 Euthanasia 27 2.2.1 Active euthanasia 29 2.2.2 Passive euthanasia 30 2.2.3 Conflict of duty and safeguards related to euthanasia 32 2.3 Belief‑based patient decisions 34 2.3.1 Organ transplant and donation 34 2.3.2 Refusal of medical treatment 36 2.4 Emerging policy trends and outstanding policy questions 413 Healthcare policy and religious diversity 43 3.1 Healthcare policy and accommodating religious needs in hospitals 45 3.1.1 Religious assistance and faith space 45 3.1.2 Medication and dietary needs 47 3.1.3 The sex of the health practitioner and hospital clothing 48 3.1.4 After‑death issues: post‑mortem and burial 49 3.2 Healthcare policy and accommodating religion outside hospitals 50 3.2.1 Training of healthcare professionals 50 3.2.2 Substance abuse 52 3.3 Emerging policy trends and outstanding policy questions 53 4 Religion and sexual and reproductive healthcare 56 4.1 Contraception, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases 56 4.1.1 The influence of religion on contraception policy 57 4.1.2 The influence of religion on HIV/AIDS education and prevention policies 58 4.1.3 The4.1.3 The influence of religion on other STD policy 60 4.2 Abortion and sterilization 61 4.2.1 Some religious positions on abortion 61 4.2.2 National policy positions 62 4.2.3 Safeguards when abortion is denied 63 4.2.4 Sterilization 65 4.3 Fertility treatment and reproductive techniques 65 4.4 Circumcision 68 4.5 Female genital mutilation 70 4.6 Emerging policy trends and outstanding policy questions 71 5 Religion and mental healthcare 73 5.1 The European policy context and the influence of religious institutions 74 5.2 The influence of religion on mental illness 77 5.2.1 Diagnosis of mental illness 77 5.2.2 Treatment of mental illness 78 5.3 Emerging policy trends and outstanding policy questions 82 Conclusion 84 Appendix A Roundtable participants 86 Appendix B Belief‑based exemption from healthcare provision 87 Appendix C National policy on euthanasia in some EU states 88 Appendix D National policy on abortion in some EU states 8

Pig tales, human chimeras and man-made public health hazards : an ethical analysis of xenotransplant benefits and risks

Xenotransplantatie wordt voorgesteld als een mogelijke oplossing voor het orgaantekort, alsook voor andere aandoeningen waarvoor momenteel geen of weinig behandelingen bestaan, zoals bepaalde neurologische ziektes en diabetes Type 1.De opzet van dit doctoraat was bij te dragen aan het ruime debat over hoe men de potentiële voordelen van deze technologie kan laten opwegen tegenover de unieke risico’s en kosten die met de technologie gepaard gaan

Trafficking in persons monitoring report: January 2009–June 2011

Since 2008, the Australian Government has increased the tempo on investigating and understanding these crimes, and the Australian Institute of Criminology’s research and monitoring program is part of this effort.  The Government has introduced new legislation to crack down on trafficking slavery and servile marriages. Human trafficking is a serious but underreported problem as victims are unwilling to come forward. Since 2004 only 14 people have been convicted of people trafficking-related offences (nine of the 14 defendants were convicted of slavery offences, three of sexual servitude, one of people trafficking and one of labour exploitation). Between January 2009 and June 2011 there were 73 police investigations in Australia and 145 trafficked people entering the government’s victim support program—slightly more than in the previous period. Victims continue to be overwhelmingly from south-east Asia, one-third from Thailand alone. Authored by Jacqueline Joudo Larsen, Lauren Renshaw, Samantha Gray-Barry, Hannah Andrevski, and Toby Corsbie

Organ trafficking in the Sinai: Viewed through the keyhole of forced migration.

Esta tesis doctoral en DERECHOS HUMANOS aborda el tráfico de órganos en el Sinaí, desde la aproximación de la migración forzada. La tesis trata un amplio espectro de casos de tráfico de órganos humanos en todo el mundo y cómo se suman al conjunto de conocimientos sobre información relacionada con el proceso de tráfico ilegal de órganos y contrabando de órganos y las formas de combatirlos. La investigación se apoya en fuentes académicas, públicas y privadas de todo el mundo. Primero se introduce el problema del tráfico de órganos, incluida la realidad de que una definición muy fluida del término "tráfico de órganos" genera ciertos problemas. La trata de seres humanos de un tipo u otro ha existido desde el comienzo de la humanidad, pero el tráfico de órganos no fue posible hasta el desarrollo de la medicina moderna. Se rastrea el trasfondo histórico de la trata de seres humanos, proporcionando al lector una comprensión de las numerosas formas que la trata de personas ha asumido a lo largo de las generaciones. Este trasfondo está destinado a ayudar al lector a comprender que la idea de tomar a otras personas, o tomar el control de la autonomía corporal de otras personas, es una acción muy humana. Sin embargo, cuando consideramos cómo se trata a los refugiados en el Sinaí, no es sorprendente que las Naciones Unidas tengan una responsabilidad con los refugiados en el Sinaí, no sólo para proteger a los refugiados de las fuerzas extranjeras y locales, sino también para prevenir el contrabando de sus órganos. Las acciones de los traficantes en la región del Sinaí, así como en otras áreas del mundo, se elevan a la categoría de crímenes contra la humanidad. Se discute el vínculo entre el tráfico de órganos en Egipto y el Sinaí, y se considera la posibilidad de aumentar la disponibilidad del suministro legal de órganos. En el capítulo final, se sintetiza el status quo, junto con una serie de recomendaciones para el futuro y para disminuir el peligro para las personas del Sinaí, así como para otras víctimas globales de este horrendo crimen.The dissertation in DOCTORAL HUMAN RIGHTS & FUNADAMENTAL FREEDOMS addresses organ trafficking in the Sinai, as viewed through the keyhole of forced migration. It considers a wide spectrum of human organ trafficking cases throughout the world and how they add to the knowledge base of information related to the process of illegal organ trafficking and organ smuggling and the ways to combat them. The research is based on academic, public, and private sources throughout the world. The problem of organ trafficking is first introduced, including the reality that a very fluid definition of the term ‘organ trafficking’ complicates the issues. Human trafficking of one type or another has been in existence as long as mankind, but organ trafficking did not become possible until the advent of modern medicine. The historical background of human trafficking is traced, providing the reader with an understanding of the numerous forms that human trafficking has taken over the generations. This background is intended to help the reader understand that the idea of taking other people, or taking control of other people’s bodily autonomy, is a very human action. Still, when we consider how refugees in the Sinai are being treated, it is not surprising that the United Nations have a responsibility to the refugees in the Sinai, not only to protect the refugees from foreign and local forces but also to prevent the theft of their organs. The actions of traffickers in the Sinai region (as well as other areas of the globe) rise to the category of crimes against humanity. The link between organ trafficking in Egypt and the Sinai is discussed, and the possibility of increasing the availability of the legal organ supply is considered. In the final chapter, the status quo is synthesized, along with recommendations for future research.<br /

Querying Everyday Scarcity: A Feminist Political Economy Analysis of Kidney Dialysis and Transplantation in Rural British Columbia

This thesis uses a feminist political economy perspective to analyze the findings from a qualitative case study regarding kidney dialysis and transplantation in rural and remote British Columbia. This case study was conducted in order to investigate the concept of "scarcity," which is very common in organ transfer discourse. Critical ethnography and document analysis were used to examine the ways in which scarcity manifests in policy, practice, and everyday life. The main areas of focus include: the systemic context for the practices; the intersection of social location and geographic isolation; the intersection of gender, work and health; the implications of work in the local resource industry for renal health and renal replacement options; the role of unpaid care work provided by family members; and the implications of shifting care from institutions to families and individuals – particularly in a rural and remote context. Broadly, I argue that the scarcity of transplantable organs remains the dominant public discourse, that this discourse informs policies and practices, and that, despite these trends, lived experiences of scarcity at this site of study have more to do with the scarcity of human and health care resources, particular services, and health and life-sustaining resources for patients

Regulation of biobanks in Mexico: Ethical and Legal issues

This thesis investigates the governance of biobanks in Mexico, exploring elements of legislative reform for the improvement of current legal and ethical guidance. It argues that the great benefits to be obtained from research using biobanks (e.g. personalised or stratified medicine) are at risk of being undermined by the absence of clear legal pathways. A number of legal and ethical issues have emerged from the different aspects of biobanks. Diverse theoretical approaches are reflected in academic literature and heterogeneous legislation of biobanks around the world. Specific binding rules have worked for some, whereas self-regulation has proven suitable for others. Social solidarity has played a key role in innovative biobanking law and decision making, in which traditional governance approaches have become more reflexive, involving not only law and policymakers, but also the public. A detailed legal analysis revealed significant gaps within the complex Mexican laws governing biobanks; this has caused confusion. Areas of concern were identified in relation to the ethical management of research samples and the protection of donors’ rights. This is concerning in Mexico where economic interests influence legal reform, giving way to opportunistic actions by the international pharmaceutical industry and leaving vulnerable populations unprotected. The greatest challenges for Mexican legislators are finding ways to respond to legal gaps with new laws and improving the effectiveness of existing rules. Due to the scarcity of literature on the topic, interviews were conducted with representative actors in strategic areas. Participation in the European Union research network BTCure enabled the inclusion of a study investigating how European experiences can be valuable examples for Mexico to follow. The results of this research indicate ways forward for Mexican governance, which are expected to influence further legislative reforms of biobanks

Mapping the Path to a Health Data Marketplace in Norway: An Exploratory Case Study

This Master's thesis explores the complex dynamics of health data in the digital age, focusing on its secure and efficient management and ethical considerations. It investigates the potential of implementing a Health Data Marketplace (HDM) in the Norwegian e-health sector, aiming to construct a seamless health data exchange platform. This study proposes the integration of an existing health data gateway, the Egde Health Gateway (EHG), with the HDM. The research offers an in-depth analysis of existing limitations in health data exchange systems in Norway. It addresses current research gaps in Data Marketplace, Business Models, Gateways, and the Norwegian e-health context. Guided by two central research questions, this thesis delves into identifying essential components required to successfully implement an HDM in Norway and how this marketplace could be established using an existing data platform. Significantly, the thesis underscores the pivotal role of primary stakeholders in the HDM - Platform Operators, Platform Users, and Legal Authorities. The exploration reveals that Platform Operators are vital influencers, fostering collaboration and innovation within the ecosystem, while Platform Users and Legal Authorities ensure the marketplace's innovative and compliance aspects. Additionally, this study identifies essential components for successfully integrating an HDM into an existing health data platform, including Data Standardization, Interoperability, Integration, Security, Trust, and Legal Frameworks, among others. The thesis marks a significant step towards realizing an HDM in the Norwegian e-health sector. It invites future research to broaden stakeholder perspectives, examine economic aspects of the HDM, and delve into ethical considerations and technological innovations. The findings from this exploration serve as a catalyst for leveraging health data effectively, securely, and ethically, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes, research, and innovation in Norway and beyond

Mapping the Path to a Health Data Marketplace in Norway: An Exploratory Case Study

This Master's thesis explores the complex dynamics of health data in the digital age, focusing on its secure and efficient management and ethical considerations. It investigates the potential of implementing a Health Data Marketplace (HDM) in the Norwegian e-health sector, aiming to construct a seamless health data exchange platform. This study proposes the integration of an existing health data gateway, the Egde Health Gateway (EHG), with the HDM. The research offers an in-depth analysis of existing limitations in health data exchange systems in Norway. It addresses current research gaps in Data Marketplace, Business Models, Gateways, and the Norwegian e-health context. Guided by two central research questions, this thesis delves into identifying essential components required to successfully implement an HDM in Norway and how this marketplace could be established using an existing data platform. Significantly, the thesis underscores the pivotal role of primary stakeholders in the HDM - Platform Operators, Platform Users, and Legal Authorities. The exploration reveals that Platform Operators are vital influencers, fostering collaboration and innovation within the ecosystem, while Platform Users and Legal Authorities ensure the marketplace's innovative and compliance aspects. Additionally, this study identifies essential components for successfully integrating an HDM into an existing health data platform, including Data Standardization, Interoperability, Integration, Security, Trust, and Legal Frameworks, among others. The thesis marks a significant step towards realizing an HDM in the Norwegian e-health sector. It invites future research to broaden stakeholder perspectives, examine economic aspects of the HDM, and delve into ethical considerations and technological innovations. The findings from this exploration serve as a catalyst for leveraging health data effectively, securely, and ethically, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes, research, and innovation in Norway and beyon