Edilene Lopes, Rachel Ankeny, Dan Santos, Mengqi Hu, Tess Whitton, Michail Ivanov, Joan Leach, Dianne Nicol, Christine Wells
{"title":"Exploring Patient Organization Involvement in Stem Cell Research: Insights from the Lifeworld.","authors":"Edilene Lopes, Rachel Ankeny, Dan Santos, Mengqi Hu, Tess Whitton, Michail Ivanov, Joan Leach, Dianne Nicol, Christine Wells","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10516-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10516-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article examines the role of patient organizations as mediators between patients and researchers in stem cell research in Australia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stem cell researchers and patient organization representatives as part of a broader project to deepen public understanding and foster more robust scientific practices in stem cell-based research and therapies. We used Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action as our theoretical framework to explore the relationships between patient organizations and researchers. Using this framework allowed the identification of two different ways of conceptualizing health and illness-one based on patients' experiences, which we call \"the lifeworld,\" and another grounded on researchers', health professionals', and policymakers' professional perspectives, which we call \"the rational system.\" We found that the different conceptualizations identified influenced the interactions between patients and researchers (and other professionals involved in the healthcare system). Patient organizations, then, act as articulators of patients' viewpoints in this scenario, which can have advantages and disadvantages. We also found that researchers need to develop less transactional forms of communication with these organizations and that policymakers and regulators could benefit from developing guidelines to encourage researchers to use diverse strategies to engage more meaningfully with patients at individual and organizational levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"699-713"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13645905/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147476188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Love, Labour, and Wages: Should Society Pay Parents?","authors":"C Bobier","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10491-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10491-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While everyone, parents and non-parents alike, benefit from children, parents alone incur the cost of bearing and raising them. Johan Bester argues that, since society tasks parents with the labourious and financially burdensome task of raising children, and children are a social good, society has an obligation to help ease the burden of parenting by offering direct financial compensation to parents. While I agree that society should do much more to support parents, I am not convinced that the support should include direct financial payment to parents. After setting out Bester's arguments for this position and distinguishing it from a similar argument in political science, I offer a series of concerns: parenting is unlike socially beneficial employment-type work; Bester's argument may extend in problematic directions; financial incentives may harm the parent-child relationship; and there are other ways to promote parenting. Despite being critical, the purpose of this paper is to invite further discussion among bioethicists on how society can support parents in the important task of parenting.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"449-457"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Brain-Hype and For-Profit Medical Devices.","authors":"Marta Vassallo, Mario Picozzi","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10466-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10466-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research into the functioning of the human brain is essential both for the biological assessment of the species and for our self-comprehension. However, following the \"neuroscientific turn\" in several areas of research, such as psychology, philosophy, and AI, interdisciplinary collaboration in this area gave birth to an important phenomenon that is still active today: \"neuro-hype\" or \"brain-hype.\" In this paper, we will inquire about one particular aspect of this widespread phenomenon: for-profit neuro-related products. Due to the lack of a vast and robust literature on the topic, the first aspect of our inquiry will concern products that have two major similarities with our focus topic: they are direct-to-consumer (DTC) health-related products, and they have a certain effect on consumer health. The second aspect of our inquiry will delve deeper into DTC neurotechnology by investigating how such products are advertised on major online platforms. In our analysis, we will consider both supplements and biomedical devices, taking into account their ratings, their cost, how they are made, their patent (if present), and will compare this information with the available research data on such objects or similar ones. Finally, this paper argues that while DTC neurotechnologies democratize access to brain health tools, they frequently fail to align with core bioethical principles-autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These shortcomings highlight an urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible development, equitable access, and transparent commercialization.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"659-673"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wartime Medical Ethics at the Cambodia-Thailand Border: Should Thai Hospitals Treat Non-Citizen Patients During the 2025 Conflict?","authors":"Poramate Pitak-Arnnop","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10513-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10513-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"441-443"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lack of Rigour on COVID-19 Vaccines.","authors":"Raphael Lataster","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10548-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10548-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Several years ago Lipworth, et al. (2023) indicated that emerging evidence reveals a multitude of mistakes and a lack of scientific rigour on all things COVID-19, including issues around the vaccines. Examining some of the most recent evidence, I explain that Lipworth, et al. were correct in hypothesizing that numerous mistakes have been made regarding the vaccines' development, recommendation, media coverage, and mandating.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"445-447"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148708472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thainah B S Zambrano, Sandra C Z Palma, Anabela B B Madrid, N R Maddela
{"title":"Perception of Ethics in Dental Treatments of People with Disabilities : A Comprehensive Mixed Method Approach from Ecuador.","authors":"Thainah B S Zambrano, Sandra C Z Palma, Anabela B B Madrid, N R Maddela","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10507-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10507-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the realm of dental treatment for individuals with disabilities, ethics plays a fundamental role by emphasizing the foundational principles of respect, dignity, and equitable access to dental care. Living with disabilities exerts a considerable impact upon the daily lives of affected individuals-one recognized by Ecuadorian disability law-which highlights the imperative role of caregivers in providing necessary support. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the perception of ethics in dental treatments of people with disabilities. The conducted study, involving the participation of thirty-five dentists in Ecuador, seeks to discern ethical perceptions surrounding dental treatments. It underscores the pressing need to synchronize ethical-moral values with tailored procedures to achieve truly inclusive care. A comprehensive approach to ethics in dentistry for individuals with disabilities is imperative. This entails a thorough consideration of individual needs and the application of ethical-moral values. Continuous education and interdisciplinary collaboration stand out as indispensable components to provide quality and respectful care. The study serves to underscore the paramount importance of ethics in the dental field, emphasizing the need to adapt to diversities and ensure inclusion in the provision of care to patients with disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"553-562"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145953670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Moral Deference and the War in Gaza.","authors":"Zohar Lederman","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10514-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10514-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper discusses the idea of moral deference in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza. This idea is particularly pertinent where many ethicists seem to share the sense that the Israeli onslaught in Gaza is immoral, and yet only few articulate it in writing. Moral deference, I suggest, can be a temporary measure against such paralysis, by referring to international humanitarian law.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"675-682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13645845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146088024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lisa A van Roermund, J J Jos Kole, Marijke J Ter Voert, Machteld J Vonk
{"title":"Biological Parenthood in Relation to Future Artificial Reproductive Technologies : A Scoping Review of Definitions.","authors":"Lisa A van Roermund, J J Jos Kole, Marijke J Ter Voert, Machteld J Vonk","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10520-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10520-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Future artificial reproductive technologies, including mitochondrial replacement therapy, in vitro gametogenesis, and ectogenesis raise important legal and ethical questions, such as: Who should be considered the parents of children born from these technologies? The concept of biological parenthood is commonly used as a basis for answering this question. Therefore, this study assesses the use and meaning of biological parenthood in relation to these future artificial reproductive technologies. Searches were conducted in six databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, HeinOnline, Westlaw Classic, and Philosopher's Index. Articles were included only if they met one of the following conditions: 1) a definition of biological parenthood, 2) a definition of genetic parenthood, 3) a definition of gestational parenthood, 4) a definition of biological, genetic, or gestational parenthood combined with either mitochondrial replacement therapy, in vitro gametogenesis, or ectogenesis. Of the 6,304 studies retrieved, 131 results were included for analysis. The review found multiple meanings of biological parenthood, encompassing different biological ties (genetic, gestational, and postnatal) and diverse conceptual methods of interpreting its meaning. The definition of gestational parenthood appears to be less univocal than the term initially suggests, and that of genetic parenthood has evolved. The lack of consensus on the meaning and definition of biological parenthood leads to inconsistent determinations of biological parenthood in relation to future artificial reproductive technologies. This raises serious doubts about whether biological parenthood can continue to play the fundamental role in ethical and legal perspectives on parenthood that it has held for a long time.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"737-755"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13645860/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147460747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rejecting Health as a Justification for Junk Food Taxes.","authors":"Junjie Yang","doi":"10.1007/s11673-025-10500-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11673-025-10500-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many countries have implemented taxes on junk food, believing this to have beneficial health outcomes. The Health Protection Argument maintains that (1) junk food is harmful to health; (2) consumers should reduce their consumption; (3) taxation is an effective means of achieving this goal, and governments should implement effective measures. Consequently, governments should tax junk food for health reasons. However, the premises in this argument are problematic. The definition of junk food and the causal relationship between junk food consumption and health outcomes remain ambiguous. Without clear health standards and justified public reasons, governments should not implement restrictive measures to reduce junk food consumption. Furthermore, the effectiveness of taxation as a policy tool, as well as the justification for prioritizing tax interventions over alternative measures, calls for closer evaluation. Therefore, the conclusion that governments should impose taxes on junk food is not sufficiently justified on health grounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":50252,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioethical Inquiry","volume":" ","pages":"497-514"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}