HIV and the obligation to treat.
The paper is an attempt to review the basis for the claim that physicians have a professional obligation to treat AIDS patients. Considered are the historical record, two professional codes of ethics, and several recent articles. The paper concludes that the arguments considered, which attempt to support the claim that physicians have an obligation to treat, fail. It is suggested, rather, that common humanity, which physicians share with those who suffer from AIDS, ought to be the basis for engaging in the care of AIDS patients.
Sheldon
M
M
Department of Philosophy, Indiana University, Gary 46408.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032781:Codes of Ethics; D032982:Contracts; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D011287:Prejudice; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012935:Social Justice; D012941:Social Responsibility; D028722:Virtues