Physicians' duties and the non-identity problem

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Philosophy of Medicine
• Bioethics

Background:

• The non-identity problem concerns moral considerations when actions alter the identity of individuals.
• Delaying pregnancy is a key example, raising questions about moral duties when future persons are affected.
• Existing literature on the non-identity problem offers limited guidance for physicians' ethical duties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the implications of the non-identity problem for physicians' ethical decision-making.
• To determine when physicians may ethically refuse patient requests based on identity-altering consequences.
• To clarify physicians' duties in cases involving identity-preserving versus identity-altering interventions.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of the non-identity problem in medical contexts.
• Ethical reasoning applied to physician-patient interactions involving identity changes.
• Distinction between identity-preserving and identity-altering interventions.

Main Results:

• The non-identity problem has significant moral implications for medical practice.
• Physicians have a moral basis to refuse interventions that harm a patient, even if identity-preserving.
• In identity-altering scenarios, physicians should generally defer to patient autonomy regarding choices that affect future well-being.

Conclusions:

• Physicians' duties are shaped by the non-identity problem, influencing decisions on patient requests.
• Refusal is justified for identity-preserving interventions causing harm.
• Respect for patient choice is paramount when interventions alter identity and affect future life quality.