The payment of drug addicts to increase their sterilisation rate is morally unjustified and not simply 'A Fine Balance'.
This paper argues that cash incentives offered to drug addicts in return for sterilisation are both legally and morally unacceptable. Such incentives act coercively, undermines one's freedom and autonomy and importantly invalidates real consent. This has important implications for any clinicians involved in such a scheme. The paper prompts more detailed studies into the use of incentives in modern-day health care.
Morgan
M
M
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. matt.morgan@tiscali.co.uk
D003068:Coercion; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000941:ethics*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders