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Issues
The Ethics of Self-Medication
A discussion among experts about when and how individuals may decide for themselves which medications to take, and for what reasons.
Essays
Respect Patients’ Choices to Self-Medicate
Jessica Flanigan argues that if we allow patients to refuse care, we should for similar reasons allow patients to self-medicate.
Essays
Don’t Let Medical Autonomy Become Abandonment
Alison Bateman-House is skeptical about treating autonomy as the only value in bioethics.
Essays
Often, Doctor Knows Best
Craig Klugman argues that in the field of medicine we need a measure of paternalism to keep from hurting ourselves and others.
Essays
Tear Up the Permission Slip: Medical Autonomy Is a Fundamental Right
Christina Sandefur argues for fundamental right to self-administer medication.
Essays
Why Autonomy Remains the Most Important Value
Jessica Flanigan defends the primary importance of autonomy in medical ethics.
Essays
Autonomy without Warrant; Information without Guidance
Craig Klugman argues that right-to-try laws give only an illusory freedom.
Essays
Beneficience and Nuance in Drug Regulation
Using beneficence as a guide, Alison Bateman-House makes the case for something like our current ethical rules for medication.
Essays
What Does Patient Autonomy Mean for Doctors and Drug Makers?
Christina Sandefur looks at how we might ease medical regulations and speed new drugs into use, while keeping safety firmly in mind.
Essays
Autonomy’s Past and Future
Jessica Flanigan admits that autonomy has not always been the guiding principle of medical ethics. But perhaps it should be in the future.