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Ethical dilemmas
Code of ethics in action: vignettes from ISBT congresses
Code of Ethics
Did you know that the ISBT has a Code of Ethics related to Transfusion Medicine?
This document outlines the basic ethical principles of dignity, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence (not doing harm), and justice, and how they apply to blood donors, recipients, and the stewardship of the blood supply. The Code of Ethics was first developed in 1980, updated in 2017 and is currently undergoing revision. It is available in eight languages and can be found on the ISBT website.
At the ISBT Congresses in Gothenburg in 2023 and Barcelona in 2024, members of the ISBT Standing Committee on Ethics, assisted by some ISBT Working Party members, presented clinical vignettes highlighting some of the ethical challenges faced in transfusion medicine practice. Audience members voted on questions related to the vignettes, and you can do that as well, using the quiz below.
Vignettes will be published in the coming Transfusion Today issues. In these cases, you will have a chance to reflect on your practice, compare with others completing the quiz, and see some points to consider when making decisions.
Vignette 1. Donors: The case of unused stem cell products
The case
A hospital has been storing frozen stem cell products that were donated by a patient for their own use, however the patient has now passed away. After 10 years of storage, the hospital is now considering the possibility of using the stored stem cell products for research purposes.
Discussion points
There is a variation in the storage duration of stem cells between centers. Storage of stem cells beyond their recommended storage limit for research, or use of stem cells that are no longer going to be used for intended treatment for research, raises ethical dilemmas related to:
- Informed consent: Donors may not have been explicitly informed or given consent for their tissues or cells to be used for research purposes.
- Privacy and confidentiality: The use for research may lead to the creation of databases or biobanks with particular patient identifiers.
- Justice: Research use could be considered unfair to the donor and others who have stored cells for future use.
An ethics committee can play a critical role in handling ethical dilemmas related to the use of stored stem cell products for research purposes.
The Author
The case of unused stem cell products, presented by Dr. Arwa Al-Riyami, member of the Standing Committee on Ethics and the Chair of the Clinical Transfusion Working Party.
Did you know?
The Standing Committee on Ethics (SCE) gives advice or opinion on ethical issues as requested and directed by the ISBT Board of Directors. ISBT members can submit (ethical) issues, however, the Board of Directors decides whether or not the SCE will work on the submitted issues. The SCE has a broad international representation and comprises individuals who have experience or an interest in ethics.
Read more about the committee and its work here.
