Embryonic stem cells research in Israel: a legal and ethical inquiry.

Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) holds great promise for future remedies, coupled with gainful venture opportunities. However, the possibility to benefit to the full extent from this modality is contingent to the resolution of significant ethical and legal difficulties. Currently, a myriad of international laws and regulation precludes a systematic, singular point of view, necessitating a nation-by-nation analysis.

[Western bio-ethics--Israel between North America and Europe].

In an attempt to re-structure and formulate western bio-ethics in the '80's, the four principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice were promulgated in North America and the United Kingdom. Extensive criticism was leveled against this endeavor, as being erroneous in principle or substantially inadequate. Furthermore, European opponents of this effort claimed that the Continent's 'true' set of values greatly differs from those of North America, hence negating attempts for global bio-ethics based on these principles.

Treating acute anaemia in a Jehovah's Witness in Israel: an innovative approach to a medical and legal challenge.

A person's right to control his or her own body, expressed through the concept of informed consent to medical treatment, has gained worldwide acceptance. Nevertheless, this right may conflict with the state's interest in preserving life in cases where patients refuse treatment in medical emergencies. This paper examines the management of treating acute anaemia in a Jehovah's Witness in Israel who refused blood transfusion on religious grounds.

Physicians' attitudes towards patients' rights legislation.

Patients' rights laws, bills and charters aim at delineating the patient-physician relationship in regard to consent to medical treatment, confidentiality and related issues. The need to shape such an intimate relationship by way of legislation seems anomalous to some, but imperative to others. We present for the first time an insight into Israeli physicians' attitudes towards Israel's patients' rights laws, in a changing medical and socio-legal environment.