국내 의료윤리 문제들에 대한 인터넷 토의

Three important medico-ethical cases of Korea were sent via e-mail to ethicists in Israel, Canada, Japan, Germany, and the USA. The titles of the three cases are ‘Discharge against medical advice,’ ‘Medical experimentation on orphans,’ and Choosing a good or bad death’. The ethicists that were contacted agreed on several important points. With respect to the first case, all participants agreed that not the doctor but the health care system and the government are responsible. With respect to the second case, all participants opposed to interventional medical research on children who cannot give informed consent, unless there is a clear health benefit to the children. Finally, in the third case, most participants agreed that the patient’s own decision is the most important factor in decisions regarding ongoing treatment. Internet-based discussions of cases in medical ethics is a valuable and convenient way to receive the opinions of highly qualified ethicists from around the world.