The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical overview of the developments in the field
of ethics concerning medicine and health. The discourse also focuses on morals and ethics. We
summarize major principles around which much of ethics debates concerning medical and health
care have been organized. Following this our paper connects the medical ethics in India with the
contemporary concern. The present paper is divided into two parts. The first part attempts to
discuss historical development of medical ethics at global level. In particular, western philosophy
has been profoundly shaped by three theories of ethics: Aristotelianism, deontology and
utilitarianism. Each of these three theories can in turn be seen as essentially a product of the
times in which it was originally born. The medical ethics have come a long way and still a
continuing process. Ethical discourse is generated out of and applied in local worlds, however, so
that it gets taken up in moral processes that are inseparable from local elations and conditions.
The discourse of ethics and moral concludes that they are inseparable from local relations and
conditions and at the same times aspires for trans-local perspective. Importantly, the four
principles of ethics i.e. , autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) are prima facie and
binding for each individual to follow. In the second part of paper, an effort has also been made to
discuss the historical aspects of medical ethics in India. Medical ethics are not merely a moral
code but a legally sanctioned code of conduct acceptable and normal within the medical profession.
A broad range of issues can be covered under the rubric of ethical issues, however, specific
concerns related to the globalization, equity in health, technology and ethics, informed consent,
emergency and health care and reproduction are the major concern of ethics. The ideas enshrined
in the doctrine of informed consent though not legally binding yet, continue to percolate into the
medical and lay discourse. The doctrine of informed consent is complicated and needs to be
addressed in socio-cultural and other constraints of the society. Advances in bio-sciences and
bio-technology, such as surrogacy, sex selection, genetics etc. widened the scope of medical
ethics. Ethics are the bridge between health policy and values. Health policy is related with the
equity and justice to its people in receiving the health care, and thus medical ethics examines the
moral validity of it. There is a need to develop an ethical culture in society. Ethics, equity and
respect for humanity must be incorporated in all aspects of health care. Ethics has to be
institutionalized wherever it is needed. Given the events of the last decades it is a sad reality that
at least in the Indian health care set up ethics are losing their sight and has been moving towards
commercialization than science and healing.
Struggles in Defining and Addressing Requests for “Family Balancing”: Ethical Issues Faced by Providers and Patients
