Learning Through Conflict: Ethical Debates in Sexual and Reproductive Health

Abstract

The fundamental principles associated with ethics in reproductive health-care service delivery and in research - namely respect for autonomy beneficence and nonmaleficence and justice-are articulated in a series of international agreements and are generally accepted by national bodies responsible for the review of service guidelines research proposals and the oversight of professional conduct. This general acceptance however does not guarantee that the principles implicit in international law and guidance are reflected faithfully in the policies and guidelines of member states. The interpretation of ethical principles is embedded in the complex and sometimes contradictory web of international agreements national and provincial laws and local customs and culture. Conflicts arise during implementation of the core principles. Most of these conflicts emerge from the challenges and ambiguities associated with trying to implement ethical standards rather than from fundamental disagreements about the basic principles. Resolving ethical conflicts requires careful analysis consideration of competing interests and perspectives and ideally a forum in which ideas about rights and responsibilities can be formulated and refined. The articles that follow have been collected with the aims of raising awareness of important ethical issues and providing a starting point for further discussion and debate. (excerpt)