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09:01
A Technique for Subcutaneous Abdominal Adipose Tissue Biopsy via a Non-diathermy Method
Published on: September 30, 2017
Body art and medical need
1Centre for Professional Ethics, Keele Hall, University of Keele, Keele, Staffs, ST5 5BG, UK. i.m.brassington@peak.keele.ac.uk
Journal of Medical Ethics
|December 24, 2005
Summary
This study explores the ethics of using surgery for non-medical purposes, like creating biojewelry from bone tissue. It questions whether medical necessity should be the sole justification for surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Surgical Ethics
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- A company, Biojewelry, proposes creating wedding rings from couples' bone tissue.
- This raises ethical concerns regarding surgery performed without medical necessity.
- Current practice restricts surgery to cases with medical need, often requiring prior surgical necessity for such proposals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the ethical necessity of medical need for surgical intervention.
- To explore whether non-medical projects can ethically warrant surgical procedures.
- To reconsider the scope and purpose of surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Ethical analysis of surgical intervention justifications.
- Philosophical inquiry into the principles of medical ethics.
- Case study examination of Biojewelry's proposal.
Main Results:
- The paper argues that medical need, while primary, may not be the exclusive warrant for surgery.
- It suggests that non-medical projects, like jewelry creation, could potentially justify surgical intervention in principle.
- The analysis prompts a re-evaluation of the fundamental role and purpose of surgeons.
Conclusions:
- The absolute necessity of medical need for all surgical procedures is questioned.
- Ethical frameworks may need to accommodate non-therapeutic justifications for surgery.
- Defining the purpose of surgery requires ongoing ethical deliberation.
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