[Science and bioethics--guidelines, dilemmas and the constant postponement of decisions]

Following contemporary trends, the author discusses questions and dilemmas of today's medical practice in relation to the patient, society, and generally in relation to positive and well known ethical principles. He is advocating a positive influence of the society on medicine as a science and on its practice. The impact of modern technology upon the physician-patient relationship and the new ethical dilemmas posed by advances in such technology is also discussed. The author cautiously accepts randomized clinical trials, with a necessary presence of uninvolved physicians with an interest in medical ethics, but he refuses to accept euthanasia as an ethically correct act, not only for physicians but for other professionals as well. Euthanasia should be replaced with a fight against pain, both physical and mental. The advantages of physicians in medical practice should not be underestimated especially in the assessment of scientific work and ethical codes of behavior as they relate to the practice of medicine. They should know better than other health care professionals what is good for the health of their patients.