Aids Society Ethics And Law

This volume features a collection of the most important articles on the social, ethical and legal implications of a variety of problems caused by AIDS. The wide range of articles selected for inclusion were chosen on the basis of three criteria: their theoretical depth and coherence, their impact on the subsequent debate and on the social and ethical relevance of the problems addressed. Sections in the book include: physicians and patients, AIDS and the law, HIV testing, clinical research in developed countries, clinical research in developing countries and dying with dignity.

This volume features a collection of the most important articles on the social, ethical and legal implications of a variety of problems caused by AIDS. The wide range of articles selected for inclusion were chosen on the basis of three criteria: their theoretical depth and coherence, their impact on the subsequent debate and on the social and ethical relevance of the problems addressed. Sections in the book include: physicians and patients, AIDS and the law, HIV testing, clinical research in developed countries, clinical research in developing countries and dying with dignity

This volume features a collection of the most important articles on the social, ethical and legal implications of a variety of problems caused by AIDS. The wide range of articles selected for inclusion were chosen on the basis of three criteria: their theoretical depth and coherence, their impact on the subsequent debate and on the social and ethical relevance of the problems addressed. Sections in the book include: physicians and patients, AIDS and the law, HIV testing, clinical research in developed countries, clinical research in developing countries and dying with dignity

This important volume, originally published in 1993, represents part of a broad strategy by the international community to raise awareness of the legal and ethical implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and to promote appropriate legal and ethical responses.

The motivation and inspiration for this book come directly from expe- ences with clients during the years that I practiced HIV-related law at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc. The issues discussed in this work reflect issues that arose on a recurring basis with clients participating in HIV research studies, with investigators calling for guidance on the legal implications of particular aspects of their proposed studies, and with research institutions and health care facilities struggling to make sense of legal maneuvers aimed at obtaining the records of their HIV-infected patients. It is impossible to thank each of these persons individually for their provocative questions and their insights. The discussion of ethical and legal issues relating to the design of clinical trials reflects questions raised during discussions with Donald J. Slymen, Ph.D. Don was one of the first researchers, in my realm of experience, to pay close attention to ethical concerns, and I am greatly appreciative of his contribution to both my professional growth and the development of various scenarios discussed in this text. The portions of this text dealing with confidentiality are the result of many hours of thoughtful discussion and analysis with Penn Lerblance, J.D., now deceased and still missed. Penn and I often participated together as presenters of in-service training programs for health prof- sionals. Penn addressed discrimination, and I focused on confidentiality.

Contents.

A penetrating analysis of the close relationship between public health and human rights, this book makes a compelling case for synergy between the two fields. Using the AIDS pandemic as a lens, the authors demonstrate that health is closely related to human dignity and individual rights--human rights cannot be deemed adequate and comprehensive without ensuring the health of individuals. In the course of their analysis, Gostin and Lazzarini tackle some of the most vexing issues of our time, including the universality of human rights and the counter-claims of cultural relativity. Taking a cue from environmental impact assessment, they propose a human rights impact assessment for examining health policies--a tool that will be invaluable for evaluating real-world public health problems. This volume examines issues--HIV testing, screening, partner notification, isolation, quarantine, and criminalization of persons with HIV/AIDS--within the framework of international human rights law. The authors evaluate the public health implications of a wide range of AIDS policies in developed as well as developing countries. The role of women in society receives special emphasis. Finally, the book presents three case histories significant in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and analyzes them from a human rights perspective. The cases include discrimination and the transmission of HIV and tuberculosis in an occupational health care setting; breast feeding in the least developed countries; and confidentiality and the right of sexual partners to know of potential exposure to HIV. Gostin and Lazzarini have written a book that will be a valuable addition to the libraries of public health practitioners, legal scholars, bioethicists, policy makers, and public rights activists.