Medical Ethics

ISSN Print 2713-0894 ISSN Online 2713-0908

BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF ERMC EASTERN EUROPEAN

Log In Registration RU

The author considers the phenomenon of vaccine diplomacy throughout history. The purpose of the study is to trace the history and modernity of medical cooperation in the field of combating infectious diseases, the role and place of “vaccine diplomacy” in international relations, and its development in the context of global health diplomacy. Historical- chronological and comparative methods were used in the work. It is stated in the article that a vaccine is the most powerful and effective medical intervention in the human body that enables to preserve its life and health. It is asserted that Russian vaccine diplomacy, continuing the traditions of the Russian civilizational code based on humanism and compassion, acts as an effective “soft power” that influences the minds and wins supporters with its attractiveness. It is concluded that for Russia, vaccine diplomacy, based on the remarkable success of domestic science, which has managed to develop and offer the world a highly effective vaccine against COVID-19, opens up new opportunities for many partnerships along the path of broader pharmaceutical diplomacy. * The article was published in the materials of the III International Conference “The Life Path of Medicines: Simple and Complex Tasks”, Yaroslavl, October 21–22, 2021, https://clinpharmbook.ru/event/15

Received: 2021-10-10

Published online: 2021-12-30

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.028

Comments 0

VIEWS 1123

Kudlay DA, Vdovin VV, Shiller EE, Khokholov AL, Davydkin IL, Borozinets AYu

The proportion of drugs for use in juvenile patients is much less than for the adult population. This is due both to the lack of specific drugs for a number of childhood diseases, and the need to conduct special clinical studies in different age groups to assess safety and efficacy parameters. When developing a program for clinical trials of an orphan drug, ethical aspects of the participation of underage patients are considered, taking into account the current international and Russian legislation. Obtaining the informed consent of a minor patient from one of the parents requires detailed prior information and the establishment of a trusting relationship before the participation of a minor patient in a clinical trial. The results of clinical and observational studies of orphan drugs on the example of moroctocog alfa in previously treated pediatric patients with hemophilia A in different age groups contribute to an increase in the arsenal of drugs for the treatment of orphan diseases in the pediatric population and determine the optimal conditions for the use of moroctocog alfa in different age groups.

Received: 2021-10-08

Published online: 2021-12-30

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.032

Comments 0

VIEWS 722

Kozlova OV, Khristenko DN

At present, the most important problems of medical ethics related to the issues of fair access to medicine and health care as the main human benefits are of particular importance. In this regard, the study of biological and social foundations seems to be especially relevant, allowing us to consider a person not only as a user of medical services, but also as a sense-m aking center, influenced by the value-driven norms and societal ideas. The aim of the study is to consider the following two aspects of conceptualizing a person in medical ethics: his/her biological and social status. Dialectical method, system analysis, cultural and phenomenological approaches constitute the article’s methodological basis. Based on the discussion undertaken in modern scientific literature, these allow us to come to an understanding of a person in the system of medical ethics. It is noted that consideration of a person in the context of issues of medical ethics goes, first of all, in two main directions: first, the role of a person is revitalized in the process of choosing treatment methods and understanding the degree of risk associated with the treatment and prevention of his person as a biological being; the second is the immersion of a person, engaged in decision-m aking, into the system of values and traditions of society. It is shown that the second aspect is connected with the understanding of a citizen as a social being. Comprehension of a person should be undertaken through the study of his moral, spiritual, emotional, physical and biological foundations of being; at the same time, biological and social approaches should not act separately, but in unity, and lead to a holistic concept of man.

Received: 2021-10-07

Published online: 2021-12-30

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.029

Comments 0

VIEWS 687

Luković Mihailo, Majstorović Katarina, Knežević Dunja

Truth must be the starting point of any definition in medicine and therefore in medical ethics. The space-time definition of the human body and the continuity of the process in it is the first obstacle in medicine on the path to truth, and we immediately encounter this when we try to determine the state of health of patients. The second obstacle lies in the very definition of the concepts of health and disease, which in the end mutually define each other. The desire to penetrate into the continuity of processes in the body is in fact the desire for absolute truth. That which provides existence has an insider (internal, representative) approach to truth. The need to have complete control over the truth in medicine must sometimes end in faith or self-evidence. Philosophy accepted this a long time ago and for the sake of ethics, in the light of a scientific approach to medicine, it is necessary to constantly revise our views.

Received: 2021-10-07

Published online: 2021-12-30

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.034

Comments 0

VIEWS 628

We overview the possibilities and limitations of drug repositioning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and ways to reduce the new biogenic threats in the future. Drug repositioning — identifying new indications for approved drugs — is a natural prompt response to SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 viral infection. The current state of the research and development of drugs for the therapy of COVID-19 using in silico and in vitro methods is considered. In conclusion, it is noted that nowadays, the creation of innovative medicines, despite the success of translational science, takes a lot of time. Therefore, in order to select the most promising pharmaceutical agents, it is essential to integrate and analyze entire available information obtained using in silico, in vitro and in vivo methods.

Received: 2021-10-16

Published online: 2021-12-30

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.027

Comments 0

VIEWS 638

Kubar OI

This work is the author's commentary on events and documents that are important for the correct interpretation of the history on bioethics and the search for a moral basis for preventing ethical catastrophes in the future. The real reason for turning to the subject of the article was an in-depth study of the roots of the formation of ethical self-awareness and ethical legal awareness in Russia, which we presented earlier in the previous issue of the journal of Medical Ethics (2021, V. 9, No. 1.). The historical memory of the Nuremberg trial and the realities of the humanitarian catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic certainly give a special impetus to the development of this topic. Important issue is a special request of the journal editors to write this particular article. The reason is the author's discovery and presentation of the unique and forgotten documents of extraordinary importance, as well as the strategic focus of the journal's policy on an objective presentation of the facts of national ethics / bioethics in order to form the integrity of the role and influence of Russia and to improve the quality of education in this area.

Received: 2021-04-21

Published online: 2021-10-15

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.018

Comments 0

VIEWS 787

Kartashova MK, Kiseleva YaV, Semenistaya MCh, Pavlov ChS

The article elaborates on the principles and modern methodology of evaluating vaccine safety, efficacy and effectiveness. The main parameters and criteria of successful immunization are described in plain and concise language. Special attention is paid to the analysis of clinical and epidemiological aspects of vaccination against Covid-19. The article provides the most recent epidemiological statistics on this disease. A report of the efficacy and safety of the BNT162b2 vaccine is given as an example.

Received: 2021-04-08

Published online: 2021-10-14

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.017

Comments 0

VIEWS 911

For many centuries, infectious diseases have posed a serious threat: epidemics and pandemics claim lives and multiply the burden on health systems and countries' economies. Humanity managed to defeat a number of infections only thanks to specific preventive measures, i.e., vaccination. In 2020, society faced the new COVID-19 virus that has swept the whole world. The situation required swift and decisive action, including in what concerned vaccine development. It has also raised a number of ethical issues. The article analyzes ethical issues related to clinical trials and vaccination against COVID-19 by studying the regulations, literary sources and bioethical incidents. The key problems identified are: human participation in clinical trials during a pandemic, availability and, simultaneously, voluntariness of vaccination, public confidence in the SARS-Cov-2 vaccines approved for clinical practice. The study showed that the basic principles of clinical trials, voluntariness and awareness, are violated. It was revealed that despite all the efforts of public organizations and WHO initiatives in the world, there is a pronounced imbalance in the availability of the developed vaccines, while the vaccination voluntariness principle is violated by application of various mechanisms to put pressure on people, and public confidence in the developed vaccines can be called insufficient. In general, the problem of vaccination against COVID-19 remains relevant and requires comprehensive discussion.

Received: 2021-04-12

Published online: 2021-10-14

DOI: 10.24075/medet.2021.016

Comments 0

VIEWS 900