Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition -- Societal Responsibilities

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Dedication

Preface

Part I
Ethical Foundations

"Ethical Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #390 "Ethical Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology".

Informed Consent

Part II
Caring for Patients

"Surgery and Patient Choice" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #395 "Surgery and Patient Choice".

"Patient Testing" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #363 "Patient Testing: Ethical Issues in Selection and Counseling".

Committee Opinion #410 "Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

Committee Opinion #409 "Direct-to-Consumer Marketing of Genetic Testing" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

"Human Immunodeficiency Virus" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #389 "Human Immunodeficiency Virus".

Committee Opinion #294 "At-Risk Drinking and Illicit Drug Use: Ethical Issues in Obstetric and Gynecologic Practice" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

Committee Opinion #385 "The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Medicine" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

Patient Choice in the Maternal-Fetal Relationship

Committee Opinion #321 "Maternal Decision Making, Ethics and the Law" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

"Sex Selection" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #360 "Sex Selection".

"Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #369 "Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction".

"Adoption" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #368 "Adoption".

"Surrogate Motherhood" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #397 "Surrogate Motherhood".

Committee Opinion #297 "Nonmedical Use of Obstetric Ultrasonography" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

"Sterilization of Women, Including Those with Mental Disabilities" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #371 "Sterilization of Women, Including Those with Mental Disabilities".

"End-of-Life Decision Making" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #403 "End-of-Life Decision Making".

"Medical Futility" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #362 "Medical Futility".

Part III
Professional Responsibilities

"Obstetric-Gynecologic Education" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #358 "Professional Responsibilities in Obstetric-Gynecologic Education".

"Seeking and Giving Consultation" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #365 "Seeking and Giving Consultation".

"Institutional Responsibility to Provide Legal Representation" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #370 "Institutional Responsibility to Provide Legal Representation".

"Commercial Enterprises in Medical Practice" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #359 "Commercial Enterprises in Medical Practice".

Committee Opinion #341 "Ethical Ways for Physicians to Market a Practice" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

Committee Opinion #352 "Innovative Practice: Ethical Guidelines" has been issued since the publication of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition.

"Research Involving Women" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #377 "Research Involving Women".

"Preembryo Research" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion 347 "Using Preimplantation Embryos for Research".

"Sexual Misconduct" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #373 "Sexual Misconduct".

Part IV
Societal Responsibilities

"Relationships with Industry" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #401 "Relationships with Industry".

"Patents, Medicine, and the Interests of Patients" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #364 "Patents, Medicine, and the Interests of Patients".

"Expert Testimony" in Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition, has been removed from the website. An updated version has been released as Committee Opinion #374 "Expert Testimony".

Code of Professional Ethics of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Copyright © 2004 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street, SW, PO Box 96920, Washington, DC 20090-6920. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 1-932328-03-3

Copies of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology can be ordered through the ACOG Distribution Center by calling toll free 800-762-2264. Orders also can be placed from the ACOG web site at www.acog.org or sales.acog.org.

Part IV
Societal Responsibilities

"A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health."—American Medical Association, "Principles of Medical Ethics"

Care rendered to an individual patient does not take place in a vacuum but rather within a community. Decisions made in one sphere affect those in the other. Obstetrician-gynecologists have a responsibility not only to their individual patients but also to society as a whole. Accordingly, they should support and participate in activities that enhance the community. These activities may include the organization, administration, and evaluation of the health care system; public health activities; consultation with and advice to community leaders, government officials, and members of the judiciary; or expert witness testimony.

In this part of Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the ethical issues associated with conflict of interest take on special importance. Different segments of society stand to benefit in different ways from an obstetrician-gynecologist's actions, and finding a proper balance can be challenging. These chapters outline ethical approaches to several situations that may be faced by obstetrician-gynecologists as they seek to fulfill their responsibilities to society.

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