Ebola, epidemics, and ethics - what we have learned

Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine

G Kevin Donovan¹ 

[1] Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical School, Bldg. D, Rm 236, 4000 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, DC 20007-2197, USA

关键词: Global health;    Experimental treatments;    Ethics;    Epidemic;    Ebola;   

Others  :  1132049
DOI  :  10.1186/1747-5341-9-15

 received in 2014-09-09, accepted in 2014-09-30,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

The current Ebola epidemic has presented challenges both medical and ethical. Although we have known epidemics of untreatable diseases in the past, this particular one may be unique in the intensity and rapidity of its spread, as well as ethical challenges that it has created, exacerbated by its geographic location. We will look at the infectious agent and the epidemic it is causing, in order to understand the ethical problems that have arisen.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Donovan; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). Atlanta, Georgia; 2014 [http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/ webcite]
• [2]Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease): 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. Atlanta, Georgia; 2014 [http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html webcite]
• [3]World Health Organization: Ethical Considerations for Use of Unregistered Interventions for Ebola Virus Disease: Summary of the Panel Discussion, 12 August 2014. Geneva, Switzerland; 2014 [http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html webcite]
• [4]Goodman JL: Studying ‘Secret Serums’ – toward safe, effective Ebola treatments. N Engl J Med 2014, 371:1086-1089.
• [5]Pollack A: Ebola Drug Could Save a Few Lives. But Whose?. New York: NY Times; August 8, 201, A1
• [6]Surowiecki J: Ebolanomics. 25 August 2014, 90(24):21
• [7]Gostin LO, Friedman E, Hougendobler D: Briefing Paper No. 9: West Africa’s Ebola Epidemic is Out of Control, But Never Had to Happen. O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health, Georgetown University Law Center; 2014 [http://www.law.georgetown.edu/oneillinstitute/resources/documents/Briefing9Gostin_WestAfricasEbolaEpidemicisOutofControlButNeverHadtoHappen_001.pdf webcite]