The fetus as a patient: an essential concept for the ethics of perinatal medicine.
This article celebrates the professional life and contributions of Dr. Peter Auld, a founder of perinatal medicine. To this end we describe the essential concept of the fetus as a patient, based on two core ethical principles, beneficence and respect for autonomy. We explore the implications of this concept for perinatal medicine.
Chervenak
Frank A
FA
The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
McCullough
Laurence B
LB
D026686:Beneficence; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000941:ethics; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics*; D010500:Perinatology / Q000941:ethics*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D028723:Personhood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000941:ethics*