La ética es una rama de la filosofía que se ocupa del estudio racional de la moral, la virtud, el deber, la felicidad y el buen vivir.

Requiere la reflexión y la argumentación.

El estudio de la ética se remonta a los orígenes mismos de la filosofía en la Antigua Grecia, y su desarrollo histórico ha sido amplio y variado.

La ética estudia qué es lo moral, cómo se justifica racionalmente un sistema moral, y cómo se ha de aplicar posteriormente a nivel individual y a nivel social. En la vida cotidiana constituye una reflexión sobre el hecho moral, busca las razones que justifican la utilización de un sistema moral u otro.

Una doctrina ética elabora y verifica afirmaciones o juicios determinados. Una sentencia ética, juicio moral o declaración normativa es una afirmación que contendrá términos tales como “bueno”, “malo”, “correcto”, “incorrecto”, “obligatorio”, “permitido”, etc., referidos a una acción, una decisión o incluso también las intenciones de quien actúa o decide algo. Cuando se emplean sentencias éticas se está valorando moralmente a personas, situaciones, cosas o acciones.

Muerte cerebral

Consentimiento informado en circunstancias especiales.

Investigación con células madre.

Tratamientos experimentales

Participación en estudio prospectivo randomizado

Uso de la neurocirugía basada en la evidencia

Confidencialidad de datos electrónicos del paciente.

1 Statement of Ethics in Neurosurgery Introduction Relationships between neurosurgeons and their patients, like all patient-doctor relationships, are based on a long-established body of ethical principles developed primarily for the well-being of patients. In recent decades, extremely rapid progress in science and technology have threatened the historic connection between patient and healer. Physicians rely increasingly on technology as a critical part of patient care. With great increases in the cost of healthcare, physicians and hospitals also face ever-growing pressure for higher patient volume and lower costs. As a result, caregivers may find less time to relate to patients as individuals, each one with a unique set of needs and complaints. Patient alienation is the inevitable result. Our focus in creating this ethical guide is to remind ourselves, and neurosurgeons worldwide, of our fundamental commitments to the patients and communities we serve. These principles are applicable to all neurosurgeons, in private practice as well as academic settings. Above all, we are obligated not to harm to our patients, and to provide treatment that is of potential benefit. This requirement may raise challenges in the practice of neurosurgery, which has the potential to leave patients substantially worse, or even disabled, after treatment that may have achieved its surgical goal. We must maintain a high level of professional competence, so that our patients can receive the best possible care, and ensure that a high standard is maintained in the training of young neurosurgeons. We must take time to get to know our patients as individuals, and share with them information and perspectives suited to their personal needs, enabling them to understand their own medical situation, and to knowledgably participate in decisions about their own care. We must work to ensure our own ethical independence, and the independence of our scientific conferences and publications. Finally, we must support international efforts to raise the standard of care in all areas of the world. Our objective must be to maintain and improve the high medical standards we are achieving as our skill and understanding advance, while fostering the integrity and trust that have characterized our historical relationships with patients.

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