The possibility of a universal declaration of biomedical ethics.

Statements on issues in biomedical ethics, purporting to represent international interests, have been put forth by numerous groups. Most of these groups are composed of thinkers in the tradition of European secularism, and do not take into account the values of other ethical systems. One fifth of the world's population is accounted for by Islam, which is a universal religion, with more than 1400 years of scholarship. Although many values are held in common by secular ethical systems and Islam, their inferences are different. The question, "Is it possible to derive a truly universal declaration of biomedical ethics?" is discussed here by examining the value and extent of personal autonomy in Western and Islamic biomedical ethical constructs. These constructs are then tested vis-à-vis the issue of abortion. It is concluded that having a universal declaration of biomedical ethics in practice is not possible, although there are many conceptual similarities and agreements between secular and Islamic value systems, unless a radical paradigm shift occurs in segments of the world's deliberative bodies. The appellation "universal" should not be used on deliberative statements unless the ethical values of all major schools of thought are satisfied.

Therapeutic abortion in Islam: contemporary views of Muslim Shiite scholars and effect of recent Iranian legislation.

Abortion is forbidden under normal circumstances by nearly all the major world religions. Traditionally, abortion was not deemed permissible by Muslim scholars. Shiite scholars considered it forbidden after implantation of the fertilised ovum. However, Sunni scholars have held various opinions on the matter, but all agreed that after 4 months gestation abortion was not permitted. In addition, classical Islamic scholarship had only considered threats to maternal health as a reason for therapeutic abortion. Recently, scholars have begun to consider the effect of severe fetal deformities on the mother, the families and society. This has led some scholars to reconsider the prohibition on abortion in limited circumstances. This article reviews the Islamic basis for the prohibition of abortion and the reasons for its justification. Contemporary rulings from leading Shiite scholars and from the Sunni school of thought are presented and reviewed. The status of abortion in Muslim countries is reviewed, with special emphasis on the therapeutic abortion law passed by the Iranian Parliament in 2003. This law approved therapeutic abortion before 16 weeks of gestation under limited circumstances, including medical conditions related to fetal and maternal health. Recent measures in Iran provide an opportunity for the Muslim scholars in other countries to review their traditional stance on abortion.

Some sociocultural aspects of cadaver organ donation: recent rulings from Iran.

Cultural and social factors strongly influence cadaveric organ donation and removal. In Muslim countries such as Iran, there is general public resistance to removal of organs despite clear rulings from religious leaders. Recently, some religious authorities have waived family permission and allowed cadaver organ removal even if the deceased person had not made a declaration for organ donation. Scholars have also exempted physicians from paying a legal penalty for removing organs in such cases. Cadaver organ donation is also allowed if the deceased person has made a declaration that money obtained from the recipient be spent to pay his debts or for public welfare and that the organ be used to save a life. There is no restriction on organ donation between people of different religions in normal circumstances. We conclude that these rulings should positively influence present sociocultural cadaver organ donation trends in Iran.

Issues in Islamic biomedical ethics: a primer for the pediatrician.

The United States is becoming increasingly pluralistic. Pediatricians must become familiar with the factors that affect the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of their patients that are outside the kin of the traditionally dominant value system. Although many articles have addressed the cultural and ethnic factors, very few have considered the impact of religion. Islam, as the largest and fastest-growing religion in the world, has adherent throughout the world, including the United States, with 50% of US Muslims being indigenous converts. Islam presents a complete moral, ethical, and medical framework that, while it sometimes concurs, at times diverges or even conflicts with the US secular ethical framework. This article introduces the pediatrician to the Islamic principles of ethics within the field of pediatric care and child-rearing. It demonstrates how these principles may impact outpatient and inpatient care. Special attention is also given to adolescent and end-of-life issues.

A quadricuspid pulmonic valve diagnosed in a live newborn by two-dimensional echocardiography.

Quadricuspid pulmonic valve is a rare congenital anomaly which appears to occur in the absence of other cardiac or systemic anomalies. It predominates in males and tends to be clinically quiescent. The first case of quadricuspid pulmonic valve in a live newborn infant diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography is presented here with a review of the literature.