[Ethics in obstetrics and gynecology]

The immense progress in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in medicine has forced a parallel development of ethical considerations in applying them. This is especially true with regard to obstetrics and gynecology, as this discipline encompasses within it the power to bestow life through fertility treatment, as well as the ability to deny them as a result of a discovery of genetic or structural malformation during pregnancy. In this review some of the issues in obstetrics and gynecology that mandate ethical guidance, as reflected from the current relevant literature, are presented. Furthermore, ethical issues of a more general nature, such as inter-colleague and teacher-student relationships are elaborated. The medical establishment recognizes the importance of ethics. However, its recommendations in various themes seem to be detached from the de-facto conditions in clinical practice, considering the terms in which the medical system actually functions. Therefore, an adaptation of ethical recommendations to the true nature of clinical "field" medicine is required.