Medical Ethics

ISSN Print 2713-0894 ISSN Online 2713-0908

BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF ERMC EASTERN EUROPEAN

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Demarina SM, Sirotkina AM, Usolkin AA, Dombrovskaya ED

The article reviews ethical and legal hurdles of integrating pharmacogenetic testing into personalized medicine. The aim of this publication was to systematize key ethical problems in clinical pharmacogenetics and find possible solutions in Russian legislation. It was an analytical review study that used a systematic analysis of scientific literature combined with comparative legal analysis of national/foreign regulations. The risks of confidentiality violations and unauthorized reuse of genetic data, difficulties in obtaining informed consent and interpreting incidental findings, and a threat of genetic discrimination from employers and insurance companies are reviewed. It has been shown that a high cost of genetic tests increases the inequality of access to medical technologies and highlights major social injustice issues. It is concluded that clarifying the legal status of genetic data, developing special mechanisms to protect patients from stigmatization and discrimination, and introducing educational programs on pharmacogenetics and genetic counseling for medical professionals are essential.

Received: 2025-12-11

Published online: 2025-12-27

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.027

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Wiegel NL, Mettini EM

The presented study delves into the concept of the digital body within the context of modern technologies and their impact on the society, culture and personality. A digital body is defined as a representation of a physical body in virtual reality, augmented reality, and on other digital platforms. The article reviews opportunities for health support, self-expression, expansion of human experience, and social connections in the digital space provided by digital bodies. The authors also explore numerous challenges faced by the society when digital bodies are introduced. These include data safety, ethical dilemmas related to identity and privacy, as well as implications for mental health and social structure. The article makes predictions about the future of digital bodies stressing that an interdisciplinary approach is required to solve the arising issues. The aim of the analysis is to attract attention to the complex dynamic relationship between technology innovation and human experience, as well as to shape awareness about how digital bodies can transform our society within the next ten years.

Received: 2025-11-17

Published online: 2025-12-15

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.026

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VIEWS 203

Sokolova OV, Kulikova OA, Alekseeva KS, Kulikova AA

Distance retail sale of medicines is a mechanism that makes pharmaceutical care more accessible. The objective of the study is to analyze the legal and ethical framework surrounding online retail sales of medicines. The subject of the study is the regulation of ethical standards for consulting in online retail sale of medicines. The study methodology involved first identifying the conditions for remote drug sales and then determining the requirements for this trade method. The research materials included regulatory documents and scientific publications focused on the remote retail sale of medicines. The methods of content analysis, comparison and generalization were used. During the study it has been found out that the current legal frameworks govern how pharmacists comply with ethical standards, specifically addressing the remote sale of medicines. It has been established that, regardless of the method of ordering, information about medicines is provided to customers by a qualified employee of a pharmacy on a professional basis.

Received: 2025-11-10

Published online: 2025-12-08

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.025

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VIEWS 237

Tereshkova VV, Tereshkova EA, Firsov DE

In the 21st century, the rapid advance of space programs raises ethical concerns about the consequences of exploring and exploiting space resources. The concept note of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) on the ethical considerations on space exploration and exploitation adopted in August 2024 states that “the international community is now in need of developing ethical principles for space exploration and exploitation that complement currently existing outer space treaties”. Key areas for future ethical regulation of space projects include prospects for commercial developments, space tourism programs, mining, and deep space exploration to study exoplanet atmospheres and search for terrestrial planets. Space exploration provides important knowledge that improves the quality of life and has a technological and innovative impact on society. The “inspiring factor” of space research is crucial for motivating future generations of scientists to develop science. However, it must be borne in mind that human activities pose significant risks to both near-Earth space and Earth’s ecosystems. The scale of space ethics proposed by COMEST will help systematize information about ethical uncertainty factors, risks and consequences of risks associated with initiatives in space exploration and exploitation.

Received: 2025-09-24

Published online: 2025-12-06

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.024

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VIEWS 262

Lileeva EG, Fomina IA, Galeeva EV, Chekanova YV, Bocharova IV

This review summarizes and analyses methods for controlling ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) impurities in pharmaceutical products. Contamination of medicinal products with these substances threatens the safety of patients, which is confirmed by numerous mass poisoning incidents throughout history and in modern times. The main reason is using toxic glycols instead of safe fillers such as propylene glycol and glycerol. The article presents systematic review of modern EG and DEG determining methods that range from standard pharmacopoeia methods to perspective screening tools. Particular attention is given to the relevance of development and implementation of prompt, precise and affordable screening solutions to be used at all stages of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The World Health Organization (WHO) Initiatives, including the target product profile (TPP), which aims to enforce these solutions, have been reviewed. It is emphasized that shifting from traditional centralized laboratory testing to decentralized methods is essential to prevent falsification and ensure safety of patients.

Received: 2025-11-10

Published online: 2025-12-03

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.023

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VIEWS 224

Ziganshina LE, Yudina EV, Ziganshin AU

This article is one in a sequence of publications in the Journal of Medical Ethics focused on the integrity of healthcare research. Our first article in the series on integrity in modern biomedical science briefly reviewed the main stages of the global think tank development calling to attention of a wide range of specialists from local ethical committees, editorial boards of biomedical journals, and experts of scientific funds who determine the research priorities and fund studies. In this article, we concentrated on the specific contribution and pioneering function of the Cochrane collaboration in developing scientific research integrity principles.

Received: 2025-09-24

Published online: 2025-11-27

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.022

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Yeregin SY, Klyuyeva PA

The article reviews the bioethical concern in providing lipid-lowering therapy to children with hereditary dyslipidemia. The concern is associated with the gap between clinical recommendations and official prescribing information. The purpose of the research was to perform a comparative analysis of regulatory documents, clinical recommendations and prescribing information of 11 medicinal preparations including statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, fibrates, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and PCSK9 inhibitors. The analysis has shown the lack of pediatric-specific data regarding effectiveness and safety of 45% prescribed medications. It imposes direct age restrictions and prevents their use in patients under 18. At the same time, clinical guidelines advocate for early initiation of therapy to reduce the lifetime risk of cardiovascular complications in children with familial hypercholesterolemia. The discovered regulatory inconsistency creates a legal barrier and makes physicians encounter ethical difficulties. The results emphasize the need to update regulatory documents and conduct additional clinical studies to ensure a safe use of lipid-lowering drugs in pediatric practice.

Received: 2025-09-22

Published online: 2025-11-21

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.021

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VIEWS 227

Yaichkov II, Volkhin NN, Petukhov SS, Lasaryanz OE

4-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide (ODASA), which is a novel selective type II carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for treating open-angle glaucoma, is undergoing preclinical testing. Pharmacokinetics of the substance have only been studied in rats. Prior to clinical studies, it is necessary to assess the systemic exposure of ODASA in non-rodents. ODASA was administered to Soviet Chinchilla rabbits at a dose of 0.28 mg/kg. About 40 µl of ocular suspension of ODASA was instilled into each eye of animals from the first group, whereas the second group received intraperitoneal injections of the investigational drug. Each group consisted of 6 male rabbits. Samples were obtained prior to administration of ODASA and during 288 hours following the administration at 16 time points. A 10% ascorbic acid solution was added to plasma before freezing. The samples were analyzed using HPLC-MS/MS. Following eyedrop instillation, relative bioavailability for ODASA was 31% as compared to IP administration. Thus, as ODASA was well absorbed into the systemic circulation of rabbits following topical eyedrop instillation, testing its pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers will be obligatory if the preparation proceeds to phase 1 of clinical studies.

Received: 2025-07-23

Published online: 2025-11-09

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2025.020

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VIEWS 230