Medical Ethics in Nephrology: A Jewish Perspective.

Allon N Friedman

doi:10.5041/rmmj.10241

Abstract

Jewish medical ethics is arguably the oldest recorded system of bioethics still in use. It should be of interest to practicing nephrologists because of its influence on the ethical systems of Christianity, Islam, and Western secular society; because of the extensive written documentation of rabbinical response in addressing a broad range of bioethical dilemmas; and in understanding the values of patients who choose to adhere to religious Jewish law. The goal of this review is to provide a brief overview of the basic principles underlying mainstream traditional Jewish medical ethics, apply them to common clinical scenarios experienced in nephrology practice, and contrast them with that of secular medical ethics.

Highlights

The practice of nephrology is replete with scenarios and challenges that require the application of medical ethics
The primary goal of this article is to describe some of the basic principles underlying Jewish medical ethics, apply them to common scenarios encountered in nephrology practice including the initiation and withdrawal of dialysis, and contrast the Jewish perspective with that of secular medical ethics
Jewish medical ethics is an ancient system of belief that is applicable to contemporary bioethical dilemmas in all fields of medicine, including nephrology

Summary

Introduction

The practice of nephrology is replete with scenarios and challenges that require the application of medical ethics. Constitutes a continuum of recorded deliberations and decisions dating back several millennia.”[2] Jewish medical ethics may be of interest to nephrologists for several reasons. Secular medical ethics is the most commonly applied bioethical system in the US and the Western world, but it is only decades old.[1] In contrast, the corpus of Jewish medical ethics “... It derives from Judaism, which as the oldest monotheistic religion has influenced the ethical perspectives of Christianity, Islam, and, more broadly, Western civilization. As arguably the oldest recorded bioethical system still in use, Jewish medical ethics offers a uniquely important resource in evaluating bioethical dilemmas.

Objectives

Conclusion