Roe vs. Wade: US prevarication poses threat to sub-Saharan Africa

Roe vs. Wade is a well-publicized decision of the US Supreme Court in January 1973 in which the court ruled 7-2 that the US constitution protects the liberty of a pregnant woman to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction1. Since then, various governments and States in the United States have applied this decision rather inconsistently, and indeed, abortion has become one of the most controversial issues in US political history2. In early May 2022, this prevarication reached its zenith when a leaked document showed that the US Supreme Court might be contemplating reversing itself on its former decision, and thereby limit women's rights to safe abortion3. If this happens, it would mean that abortion could instantly become illegal in 26 out of the 50 US States. This possibility could be reached as early as June or early July 2022. The implications of restrictive abortion law in 26 American States would not be difficult to contemplate. It would mean a major reversal of the gains in women's health and social well-being that have been achieved over the past decades, something that should be unthinkable for a major developed and exemplary country like the US. In truth, restrictive abortion laws have never been known to reduce women's desire to seek induced abortion, anywhere. It only makes the procedure more difficult to access and therefore more dangerous and unsafe for women. What the change in the law therefore means is that women requiring pregnancy termination would have to travel to other States in the US or possibly outside the country to seek safe abortion care, resulting in untold hardships. It would re-enact the case of another developed country like Romania that witnessed severe hardships and increased mortality of women after abortion became legally restricted in 1967 under President Nicolae Ceausescu4. The situation changed from 1990 when the restriction on abortion was lifted following the Romania revolution.

Expansão do poder judicial no Sistema Único de Saúde / Expansion of the judiciary in the Brazilian public health system / Expansión del poder judicial en el Sistema Único de Salud Brazileño

Resumo Este estudo aborda o histórico e a interpretação do Supremo Tribunal Federal em seus julgados ao intervir no Sistema Único de Saúde para torná-lo mais efetivo. Foram feitas pesquisas na base de jurisprudência do Tribunal, destacando-se 14 acórdãos. Observou-se que as bases para intervenção no sistema são suas deficiências e a garantia constitucional dos serviços de saúde, e que as ações se tornaram mais complexas, exigindo fundamentação mais minuciosa e adesão a novas teorias por parte do Supremo. A intervenção abrangeu não apenas o acesso a bens de saúde, mas também outros aspectos relacionados à gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde. No geral, a postura do Supremo Tribunal Federal foi afirmativa, tendo em vista não apenas respaldar a decisão, mas fixar regras para o futuro. Conclui-se que a intervenção judicial no sistema de saúde pública deve não apenas ser mantida, mas intensificada.

Abstract This study addresses the history of and interpretations made by the Brazilian Supreme Court in its judgments when intervening in the Brazilian Public Health System to make it more effective. Research was carried out on the Supreme Court's jurisprudence database and fourteen rulings were highlighted. It was observed that the basis for intervention in the Health System was its very deficiencies and the constitutional guarantee of health services, and that the lawsuits have become more complex, requiring more detailed reasoning and adherence to new theories by the Supreme Court. The intervention covered not only access to health goods, but also other aspects related to the management of the Brazilian Public Health System. In general, the stance of the Supreme Court was affirmative, aiming not only to support the decision, but to establish rules for the future. It is concluded that judicial intervention in public health system should not only be maintained, but intensified.

Resumen Este estudio aborda la historia y la interpretación del Supremo Tribunal Federal, en sus decisiones, al intervenir en el Sistema Único de Salud para tornarlo más efectivo. Se realizaron investigaciones en base a la jurisprudencia del Tribunal, destacándose catorce fallos. Se observó que el fundamento para la intervención en el sistema son sus deficiencias y la garantía constitucional de los servicios de salud, y que las acciones se tornaron más complejas, exigiendo una fundamentación más minuciosa y la adhesión a nuevas teorías por parte del Tribunal Supremo. La intervención abarcó no sólo el acceso a bienes de salud, sino también a otros aspectos relacionados con la gestión del Sistema Único de Salud. En general, la postura del Supremo Tribunal Federal fue afirmativa, teniendo en cuenta no sólo respaldar la decisión, sino también fijar reglas para el futuro. Se concluye que la intervención judicial en el sistema de salud pública no sólo debe mantenerse, sino que también debe intensificarse.

Court decisions and legal considerations about the withdrawal of the life-prolonging medical care

The Supreme Court decision made on May 21, 2009 about the withdrawal of futile life-prolonging medical care from a persistently vegetative patient provided a legal basis for patients to consent to death with dignity, and also spurred a lively debate in Korea. The legal grounding of this decision was based on the principles of human dignity, worth, and the right to pursue happiness articulated in the Article 10 of the Constitution. The Death with Dignity Act was legislated to regulate decisions about life-prolonging medical care on February 3, 2016, after extensive debate and a focus on consensus that led to two revisions. However, the issue has not been completely resolved. First, the definition of the process of dying is unclear, because the points that determine whether a patient is dying are different from a simple assessment of whether an artificial ventilator should be attached or detached. Second, the purpose of this law is the protection of human dignity, worth, and the right to pursue happiness. However, nutrition, fluids, and oxygen must continue to be supplied, even after cessation of life-prolonging medical care. Is providing a continuous supply of nutrition, fluids, and oxygen a reasonable way to satisfy the goals of Article 10 of the Constitution? Third, if the withdrawal of life-prolonging medical care is possible based on the family's agreement without the patient's input, what is the legal value of advance directives? In conclusion, it may be necessary to partially revise the law regulating decisions on the withdrawal of life-prolonging medical care through further debate.

Review of the recent Supreme Court decision on the causal relationship of occupational diseases

A theoretical study advocated for alleviating the worker's responsibility of burden of proof to establish the causality of an occupational disease, since such a responsibility is unfair to the worker. The recent judgment has adopted some of these arguments for alleviating the worker's responsibility of burden of proof, and the judgment is significant since it is the first Supreme Court decision to recognize the causality of occupational diseases. The judgment expressly confirms that it is more proactive to recognize the causal relationship between work and certain diseases, and to provide compensation for industrial accidents to employees who are exposed to harmful substances at all times. In addition, the judgment also confirms that coverage of industrial safety and health risks is in accordance with the original purpose and function of the industrial accident insurance system, which aims to share risks through public insurance.

Incidentes y riesgos de involución en la Corte Penal Internacional / Incidents and involution risks at the International Criminal Court / Incidentes e riscos da involução no Tribunal Penal Internacional

Resumen En octubre del 2016, tres países parte del Estatuto de Roma informaron la denuncia de este instrumento y, por lo tanto, su retiro de la Corte Penal Internacional. Los denunciantes, todos africanos, fundamentaron su decisión en una supuesta parcialidad de la corte, en función de que, a excepción de uno, los casos resueltos y en investigación corresponden a países de dicho continente. En tal sentido, este artículo tiene como objetivo central analizar las causas oficialmente esgrimidas por estos tres Estados para retirarse, cotejadas con los hechos que, se considera, motivaron su decisión, así como examinar los cuestionamientos y hostilidades que la corte ha recibido de otros miembros de la comunidad internacional. Se concluye que su eventual salida, si bien conlleva un significativo golpe a su credibilidad, le genera contratiempos en su consolidación y también riesgos de involución, no pone en riesgo la viabilidad de la corte, y que el mayor desafío se encuentra en los ataques infligidos por otros países que no son parte de la misma. El método de este artículo plantea una revisión somera a algunos aspectos del trabajo jurisdiccional de la corte en sus catorce años de existencia, que han generado los blancos más recurrentes de sus críticas.

Abstract In October 2016, three African countries belonging to the Rome Statute informed of their complaint, thus their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. The decisión of the complainants was grounded in the alleged partiality of the Court, depending on whether, with the exception of one, all cases resolved or under investigation pertain to countries of the African continent. In this sense, the core objective of this article consists of analyzing the causes having been offi cially argued by these three States for them to withdraw, as cross-checked with the facts deemed to have motivated their determination, and examining the questionings and hostilities received by the court from other members of the international community. It has been concluded that their eventual withdrawal, although it entails a signifi cant blow toits credibility and is creating setbacks in its consolidation as well as involution risks, it does not endanger the Court's viability, while the most serious challenge lies in attacks from other countries not involved in it. The method used in this article offers a brief review of some aspects of the jurisdictional work of the Court in its fourteen years of life that have given origin to the most recurrent targets for critics.

Resumo Em outubro de 2016, três países parte do Estatuto da Roma informaram o denúncia deste instrumento e, por tanto, sua retirada do Tribunal Penal Internacional. Os denunciantes, todos africanos, basearam sua decisão em uma parcialidade suposta do tribunal, dependendo de que, à exceção de um, os casos resolvidos e em pesquisa correspondem aos países deste continente. Em tal sentido, este artigo tem como objetivo central analisar as causas oficialmente utilizadas por estes três Estados para afastar-se, cotejadas com os fatos que, considera-se, motivaram sua decisão, assim como examinar os questionamentos e as hostilidades que o tribunal recebeu de outros membros da comunidadeinternacional. Conclui-se que a eventual saída dos Estados, embora envolva um golpe significativo a credibilidade deles, gera também infortúnios na consolidação e também riscos de involução, não põe em risco a viabilidade do tribunal, e que o maior desafio é nos ataques infligidos por outros países que não são parte do tribunal. O método deste artigo expor uma revisão breve para alguns aspectos do trabalho jurisdicional do tribunal em seus quatorze anos da existência, que geraram os alvos os mais recorrentes das suas críticas.

Desarrollos recientes en la jurisprudencia sobre el derecho a morir / Recent case law about the right to die

This paper reviews the sentences dictated between 1993 and 2002 by the Supreme Courts of Canada and the Unites States, the House of Lords and Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the European Human Rights Court, about the validity of the legal prohibition of assistance for suicide. These sentences constituted a judicial consensus about the right to die. This consensus recognized the legal right of patients to reject medical treatments but did not recognize the right to be assisted by a physician to commit suicide. This exclusion is changing in the recent case law of Canada and the United Kingdom, which accepts the fundamental right of terminal patients to medically assisted suicide.

Pesquisa e propriedade intelectual envolvendo material humano: afinal,de quem são nossos genes? / /Research and intellectual property involving human material: after all,from whom are our genes? / /La investigación y la propiedad intelectual implicando material humano:¿al final, a quien pertenecen nuestros genes?

O presente artigo discute aspectos éticos, científicos e jurídicos sobre o patenteamento de genes humanos,partindo de um contexto histórico sobre propriedade intelectual de seres vivos e passando pela decisão da Suprema Corte dos EUA relativa ao caso Myriad Genetics, conflito em torno da patente dos genes BRCA1e BRCA2, relacionados ao câncer de mama e de ovário. Além disso, o artigo aborda diplomas normativos sobre o assunto, considerando tanto a legislação brasileira quanto a internacional. Por fim, contrapõe posições distintas sobre patente de genes humanos, adotando posicionamento crítico que o assunto merece...

This article discusses ethical, scientific and legal aspects of the patenting of human genes, startingfrom a historical context of intellectual property of living beings and passing through the decision ofthe US Supreme Court in Myriad Genetics case, conflict over patent of the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2,related to breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Moreover, the article discusses regulatory instrumentson the subject, considering both the Brazilian and international legislation. Finally, it contrastsdifferent positions on patent of human genes, adopting critical position that this matter deserves...

Este artículo aborda los aspectos éticos, científicos y legales de las patentes de genes humanos, a partir de uncontexto histórico de la propiedad intelectual de los seres vivos y pasando por la decisión de la Corte Suprema deEstados Unidos en el caso Myriad Genetics, el conflicto sobre patentes de los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2 relacionadoscon el cáncer de mama y cáncer de ovario. Además, el artículo analiza los instrumentos normativos sobre eltema, teniendo en cuenta tanto la legislación brasileña como internacional. Por último, contrasta diferentesposiciones sobre las patentes de los genes humanos, y adopta una posición crítica que este asunto merece...

An important Supreme Court decision for the dental field

No abstract available.

Epidemiological evidence in law: a comment on Supreme Court Decision 2011Da22092, South Korea / 한국역학회지

This paper offers a commentary on three aspects of the Supreme Court's recent decision (2011Da22092). First, contrary to the Court's finding, this paper argues that epidemiological evidence can be used to estimate the probability that a given risk factor caused a disease in an individual plaintiff. Second, the distinction between specific and non-specific diseases, upon which the Court relies, is shown to be without scientific basis. Third, this commentary points out that the Court's finding concerning defect of expression effectively enables tobacco companies to profit from the efforts of epidemiologists and others involved in public health to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking.

Enfoque ético-jurídico de la sentencia de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos sobre patentabilidad de genes humanos / Enfoque ético-jurídico da sentença da Suprema Corte estadunidense sobre patentes de genes humanos / Ethical-legal approach to the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States on the patentability of human genes

El artículo discute aspectos ético-jurídicos de la sentencia de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos (EUA) sobre la patentabilidad de los genes humanos, en juzgamiento ocurrido en Junio de 2013. Presenta los antecedentes del caso bien como, en líneas generales, sitúa el debate actual sobre la patentabilidad genética humanos. La discusión informa acerca del conflicto judicial desarrollado en los EUA en virtud de posiciones distintas y discrepantes sobre la cuestión de las patentes, estableciendo comentarios a la decisión de la Corte. Delante de los hechos y argumentos presentados la conclusión critica la sentencia, demostrando que la propiedad industrial está en el centro de las negociaciones sobre patentes y que la presión de los intereses comerciales sobrepuja hasta mismo los valores humanos.

O artigo discute aspectos ético-jurídicos da sentença da Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos (EUA) sobre patenteamento de genes humanos, em julgamento ocorrido em junho de 2013. Apresenta os antecedentes do caso, bem como, em linha gerais, situa o debate atual sobre a patentabilidade genética humana. A discussão informa acerca do conflito judicial nos EUA em decorrência de posições distintas e discrepantes sobre a questão patentária, comentando a decisão da Corte. Diante dos fatos e argumentos apresentados a conclusão critica a sentença, demonstrando que a propriedade industrial está no centro das negociações sobre patentes e que a pressão dos interesses comerciais sobrepuja até mesmo os valores humanos.

The article discusses ethical and legal aspects of the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States (U.S.) on the patentability of human genes in trial occurred in June of 2013. Presents the background of the case as well, in general, places the current debate on human genetics patentability. The discussion reports on the judicial conflict developed in the U.S. under different and conflicting positions on the issue of patents, establishing commenting on the decision of the Court. Ahead of the facts and arguments conclude criticizes the judgment, showing that industrial property is at the center of negotiations on patent and pressure surpasses commercial interests to the same human values.

Time of guard of orthodontic records versus legal time for their prescription

INTRODUCTION: After promulgation and wider dissemination of the Code of Consumer Protection, there was an increase in the number of legal conflicts between patients and dentists, leading these health professionals to increasingly guard themselves from possible lawsuits. As such, it becomes critical the preparation of an adequate and complete clinical record, even though the keeping time remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and discuss the keeping time of orthodontic records versus the legal time for their prescription, as well as to propose a model of a Term upon Completion of Dental Treatment. CONCLUSION: It is advised to return part of the clinical records to their rightful owners by means of an itemized receipt. The Term upon Completion reflects the patient's awareness and could be considered by the CCP as the initial term of the prescription time, because it implicates that the patient recognizes the quality of service provided and satisfactory results achieved.

INTRODUÇÃO: após a promulgação e maior divulgação do Código de Defesa do Consumidor (CDC), aumentou o número de conflitos legais entre pacientes e cirurgiões-dentistas, fazendo com que o profissional da saúde passasse a se resguardar cada vez mais quanto ao risco de eventuais processos. Para sua defesa, é indispensável a elaboração de um prontuário clínico adequado e completo, porém, o tempo que esse deve ser guardado é uma incógnita. OBJETIVO: o objetivo do presente estudo é rever a literatura e discutir sobre o tempo de guarda da documentação ortodôntica versus o prazo de prescrição legal, além de propor um modelo de termo de conclusão de serviços odontológicos. CONCLUSÃO: aconselha-se a devolução de parte dos documentos clínicos ao seu legítimo dono mediante recibo discriminado. O "Termo de Conclusão" traduz o conhecimento da conclusão do tratamento pelo paciente e poderia ser considerado termo inicial do prazo prescricional pelo CDC porque nesse consta que o paciente reconhece a qualidade do serviço e o resultado satisfatório.

Court decisions on withdrawal of life sustaining treatment and related problems associated with legalization

The development of life sustaining treatment technology including artificial ventilation has given us the moral problem, considering the human dignity and futility of medical treatment, until when these treatments could be given to terminally ill patients. In Korea, there were two supreme court decisions a significant impacts on the withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. After these decisions, Korean medical society has developed a guideline for advance directives and has also established a voluntary hospital ethics committee. The patient's right of self- determination right and the paternalistic approach of medicine should be balanced at an optimal level, because benefits of medical advances should be adjusted to take into account the burden of life prolongations. Decision making always has been difficult because related to ethical values, and there a broad spectrum of value-laden attitudes within Korean society. The legalization of end-of-life care should be from the respect of the professional autonomy of medical society. Under these considerations, we should supply alternative methods like hospice care, which can help to manage the withdrawal of life support appropriately, and also make an effort to relieve the economical burden of patients.

Agenda for End-of-Life Decision-Making in Korea

After a year of court trials initiated by the immediate family of a patient in a permanent vegetative state, the National Supreme Court of Korea ruled that the family have the right to decide for the removal of ventilator from the patient. This was a particularly significant court case that established a precedent for the Korean society as a whole, since there currently is no statutory framework regarding rights to self-determination to refuse any extraordinary means of treatment in Korean legal system. While much of Korean healthcare providers and the government itself have focused on designing and developing a comprehensive blueprint for Advance Health Directives for patients, the recent outcome has created an important opportunity for all parties of the Korean society. Therefore, the Korean government and legislature will need to systematically study and establish a procedural preparation for legislation. The providers will also have to carefully examine the moral and ethical dimensions of Advance Directives to promote the patients' interests in accordance with civil rights of the patients. Lastly and most importantly, the individuals must reflect on our own moral values, regardless of their current health. To exercise their own will and to relieve their relatives from difficult decisions, they must also educate themselves about living will and healthcare proxy, and elucidate their value history with family. No one can exactly lay out the course of life to death, but it is possible to steer the final journey of life to a more humane death. A society must value the life itself, but the journey to death should also be made humane by respecting one's own choice.

Sexual harassment of women current scenario of Indian Hospitals.

Sexual Harassment of women at work place is prevalent throughout the globe. India is no exception to this evil based on gender discrimination especially in health care set ups, is a grave form of human rights violation of a almost half of the human folk. Although the Hon’ble Apex Court of India has ruled in 1997 regarding the implementation of guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women at work place, but without effective implementation, results in violation of human rights of working women as well as service consumers in Indian hospitals. The Bill on this issue is also pending in the Parliament for its nod since 2005. This paper deals with current scenario of Sexual Harassment of Women in Indian Hospitals, the Supreme Court of India’s views, Brief dissuasion of New Bill on the issue, so that persons involved in this noble profession can be made aware of their duties and rights to prevent human rights violations involved with this issue.

Medicolegal Consideration of Acute Appendicitis: Based on Judicial Precedents

PURPOSE: We wanted to describe the characteristics of the malpractice claims related to acute appendicitis and to identify medico-legal problems and potential preventability of such claims. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the records at websites that furnishes judicial precedents. The records on closed malpractice claims involving acute appendicitis were abstracted from the files that were available for analysis. The records were reviewed and analyzed to determine the causes of the lawsuits, the pre- and post-operative diagnoses, the comorbid conditions of the patient, the causes of death or post-operative complications, the results of the lawsuits and the factors associated with a successful defense. RESULTS: Twelve closed claims involving acute appendicitis were founded in the malpractice data. Two claims were Supreme Court decisions and ten were district court decisions. The causes of lawsuit were categorized as follows: delay in diagnosis or operation, mistakes during operation, inappropriate management of postoperative complications and problems related to general anesthesia. 3 claims were assigned to each of the 4 particular causes of lawsuits. The most common causes of death were abscess with peritonitis and sepsis, and ten of which resulted in indemnity payments. CONCLUSION: Appropriate explanation and attention in the diagnosis/progress of appendicitis, getting an informed consent from the patient, the patients' comorbid conditions, early decision making in diagnosis/operation and proper care in the operation were critical for preventing lawsuits related to acute appendicitis.

Medico-Legal Consideration of Hemopneumothorax : Closing Claim Study / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of malpractice claims related to hemopneumothorax and to identify the causes and potential preventability of such claims. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the records in the Lawnb website and Lx CD-rom: the records on closed malpractice claims involving hemopneumothorax were abstracted from the files available for analysis. The records were reviewed and were analysed to determine the etiology of hemopneumothorax, patient age, results of lawsuit and indemnity payment, underlying diseases, cause of death or complications, and the factors associated with a successful defense. RESULT: Seven closed claim involving hemopneumothorax were founded in the data for malpractice. Three claims were supreme court decision, one was a high court decision and three claims were district court decision. The most common cause of death was tension pneumothorax. Four of which resulted in indemnity payments. CONCLUSION: While malpractice claims involving hemopneumothorax were uncommon, they resulted in a high rate and amount of indemnity payments. Claims are more common in pediatric patients. In case of iatrogenic hemopneumothorax, post-procedural X-ray can improve patient outcome and is also associated with decreased indemnity risks. Informed consent is also important.

Perícia psiquiátrica criminal: quando os juízes concordam ou discordam / The insanity defense: when the judges agree or disagree

Objetivo: O presente estudo avalia a concordância do resultado de perícias psiquiátricas com a sentença judicial e apresenta dois casos clínicos considerados típicos de concordância e discordância entre psiquiatras peritos e juízes. Métodos: Foi realizado levantamento dos resultados das sentenças judiciais de processos criminais que tiveram laudos psiquiátricos realizados durante o ano de 2002 em comarcas de Campinas-SP e região. De um total de 133 processos criminais que tiveram perícias realizadas nesse ano, foram avaliadas 41 sentenças concluídas e suas respectivas perícias quanto a dados sociodemográficos gerais, características clínicas, características criminais e capacidade de imputação. Resultados: Foi encontrado um índice de concordância muito elevado entre a condição de imputação e a sentença judicial, resultado semelhante aos achados na literatura. Conclusões: A partir desse estudo preliminar pode-se concluir que juízes, no contexto sociocultural e jurídico brasileiro, parecem acatar plenamente as avaliações e conclusões que os psiquiatras peritos realizam em casos de perícia criminal. Casos com repercussão pública ou de grande gravidade parecem ser exceção. Estudos com amostras mais amplas e em diferentes regiões do Brasil devem ser conduzidos a fim de verificar se esse dado é válido nacionalmente.