Re: Commentary: Selling unproved fertility treatments to women desperate for a baby may be unethical
Globally, before a treatment is approved for any condition, it goes through series of protocol in clinical research trial to find out the mechanisms of action, dosage, efficacy, side effects, adverse reaction and its safety (U.S. FDA, 2016). Some medication that was approved for one condition may be found useful in another condition, however, it is important for its therapeutic / adverse effect and safety be established and approved by the appropriate authorities before being used in the new condition.
A woman or couple with infertility issues that are desperate to conceive and have a child of their own may go to any length to achieve their aim even buying unapproved medications from unapproved persons and places not minding the consequences or cost. Like every other treatment, some treatments that are used to enhance fertility may have an adverse effect on the mother and/ or the baby. Healthcare professionals that sell unapproved treatment should remember that they are ethically obliged to do good (beneficence) and avoid harm (nonmaleficence) to their client while providing care/treatment. The avoidance of harm to the client has been extended to "making sure that no harm is done in the beneficent act of using technology or in using experimental treatments that have not been well tested" (Ethics Advisory Board 2011; Beauchamp & Childress, 2009 as cited in American Nurses Association, n.d).
Although all competent clients have the right to determine what will happen to them (autonomy) without coercion, it is important to explain to them the therapeutic effect and the possible consequences (risks and benefits) of the treatment even though unapproved for their condition so that they will make an informed decision/choices.
Rapid Response:
Re: Commentary: Selling unproved fertility treatments to women desperate for a baby may be unethical
Globally, before a treatment is approved for any condition, it goes through series of protocol in clinical research trial to find out the mechanisms of action, dosage, efficacy, side effects, adverse reaction and its safety (U.S. FDA, 2016). Some medication that was approved for one condition may be found useful in another condition, however, it is important for its therapeutic / adverse effect and safety be established and approved by the appropriate authorities before being used in the new condition.
A woman or couple with infertility issues that are desperate to conceive and have a child of their own may go to any length to achieve their aim even buying unapproved medications from unapproved persons and places not minding the consequences or cost. Like every other treatment, some treatments that are used to enhance fertility may have an adverse effect on the mother and/ or the baby. Healthcare professionals that sell unapproved treatment should remember that they are ethically obliged to do good (beneficence) and avoid harm (nonmaleficence) to their client while providing care/treatment. The avoidance of harm to the client has been extended to "making sure that no harm is done in the beneficent act of using technology or in using experimental treatments that have not been well tested" (Ethics Advisory Board 2011; Beauchamp & Childress, 2009 as cited in American Nurses Association, n.d).
Although all competent clients have the right to determine what will happen to them (autonomy) without coercion, it is important to explain to them the therapeutic effect and the possible consequences (risks and benefits) of the treatment even though unapproved for their condition so that they will make an informed decision/choices.
REFERENCES
American Nurses Association (n.d). Short Definitions of Ethical Principles and Theories. Familiar words, what do they mean? Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/Resources... Definitions.pdf.
U.S Food and Drug Administration (2016). Clinical Research. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/ForPatients/Approvals/Drugs/ucm405622.htm#Clinical_Re...
Competing interests: No competing interests