Forensic autopsy. The particularities of consent for research

Forensic autopsy has as its main goal to find out the truth about the causes and circumstances of death, when there is a reasonable suspicion to be caused by a violent act. As the legal guardian cannot refuse a forensic autopsy, the forensic physician is free to perform any procedures considered to be necessary for finding out the truth (in order to answer to the objectives asked by the authority). However the use of biological samples or data in research is limited and needs an additional consent, from the legal guardian, which can lead to difficulties in the interpretation of the needed form of consent for research purposes. Forensic studies can be made on the entire body, on biological samples collected from the deceased, archived material or necropsy reports. Biological products collected from the deceased can be collected in order to answer to the objectives required asked by the authorizing authority, or collected specifically for research purposes, and the amount may vary from a few milligrams of biological tissue or fluid up to whole organs. Every situation has specific ethical issues that we will try to summarize in the following pages

The Church in the Middle Ages, the Role of the Metropolitan

This material is an introduction to a very delicate issue regarding the Romanian people: the interlacing of the role of the Church and the State as fundamental institutions of civilization. The Romanian Principalities can be presented as particular situations in this landscape just because, after they had organized themselves according to the Byzantine model, after 1453 they were the first ones to carry on these traditions, obviously with specific traits illustrated as such: coronations, donations, legislations. The role of the Church does not overlap totally the one of the laic state. Each one keeps a certain level of clear autonomy and identity

The Orthodox Church approach for the Linguistic, Religious and National Rights of Romanians in Transylvania (1800-1925)

In Transylvania, the beginning of the modern ages continued to be marked by the Romanians’interest for their national and religious rights. Here we could mention only rare cases of benefic decisions of the state in favour of the Orthodox Church, as it was more of a silent fight, with dramatic accents.  On the occasion of the Great National Assembly in Alba Iulia, the Romanian historical confessions were represented at the highest level. We also remark the fact that all the ecclesiastic-jurisdictional differences and animosities disappeared before the national interest, especially the sincere desire to observe the national will being of first importance.&nbsp

Romania and the Orthodox Church under the Communist Regime

Communism is an ideology opposing religion and Christianity through all its components. The conflict among them breaks through at all levels, from the level of thought to that of practical applicability. Communism in postwar Romania was installed not due to any mass sympathy but due to the involvement of the USSR and to some favourable political contexts made available to the Soviet leaders by the Western states from the anti-Hitler front. The elections in 1947 were a great farce which unfortunately received the approval of the great European powers. Romania was left voluntarily to the disposal of the USSR which imposed its own ruling model. The consequences at a political, social and military-strategic level have been so difficult to measure. For almost half a century most of Eastern Europe was dominated by communism. At a religious level, Christianity was oppressed under various forms and has subsisted due to some personalities who succeeded in applying a survival policy

Romania and the Orthodox Church under the Communist Regime

Communism is an ideology opposing religion and Christianity through all its components. The conflict among them breaks through at all levels, from the level of thought to that of practical applicability. Communism in postwar Romania was installed not due to any mass sympathy but due to the involvement of the USSR and to some favourable political contexts made available to the Soviet leaders by the Western states from the anti-Hitler front. The elections in 1947 were a great farce which unfortunately received the approval of the great European powers. Romania was left voluntarily to the disposal of the USSR which imposed its own ruling model. The consequences at a political, social and military-strategic level have been so difficult to measure. For almost half a century most of Eastern Europe was dominated by communism. At a religious level, Christianity was oppressed under various forms and has subsisted due to some personalities who succeeded in applying a survival policy.       &nbsp

Crystallization of the concept of the medical secret in 19th century France

Background. Until recent years medical secret was considered one of the most important applied practical concepts in European medical ethics/deontology, being only surpassed by informed consent in the last half of the century. Little is known about the way this concept evolved in continental Europe, as only a small number of scientific articles in this area are available in the literature written in English. The purpose of this article is to summarize the evolution and crystallization of this concept in France from which it spread to numerous countries in Continental Europe in the 19th century. Materials and methods. A bibliographic search of relevant books, articles, and documents regarding 19th century medical secret in France. Results. The crystallization of medical secret in France started early compared to other European countries; both legal and moral aspects regarding medical secret disseminated widely from France to other countries in Continental Europe, influencing significantly the way this concept was structured at a national level. Conclusions. Many famous cases or debates in the areas of medical ethics and deontology from the countries in Continental Europe are forgotten. However, knowing and discussing them in relation to modern bioethics concepts might help decrease the resistance to these newer concepts, and elaborate a more practical model for the morality of the medical act, which will also include regional particularities

Crystallization of the concept of the medical secret in 19th century France

Background. Until recent years medical secret was considered one of the most important applied practical concepts in European medical ethics/deontology, being only surpassed by informed consent in the last half of the century. Little is known about the way this concept evolved in continental Europe, as only a small number of scientific articles in this area are available in the literature written in English. The purpose of this article is to summarize the evolution and crystallization of this concept in France from which it spread to numerous countries in Continental Europe in the 19th century. Materials and methods. A bibliographic search of relevant books, articles, and documents regarding 19th century medical secret in France. Results. The crystallization of medical secret in France started early compared to other European countries; both legal and moral aspects regarding medical secret disseminated widely from France to other countries in Continental Europe, influencing significantly the way this concept was structured at a national level. Conclusions. Many famous cases or debates in the areas of medical ethics and deontology from the countries in Continental Europe are forgotten. However, knowing and discussing them in relation to modern bioethics concepts might help decrease the resistance to these newer concepts, and elaborate a more practical model for the morality of the medical act, which will also include regional particularities