Ethical Dilemma: Limitation of Therapeutic Effort, Passive Euthanasia or Therapeutic Obstinacy in Neonatal Problems?

Abstract

Advances in the field of medicine and technology allow the survival of infants who a few years ago it was impossible to conceive These advances, however, have brought discussions in the areas of morality, ethics and laws. The major conflicts have occurred in infants with major birth defects, those born with extremely low weight and suffering severe perinatal asphyxia. In these high-risk newborns, to existing dilemmas, experts in the Ethics field point on whether or not to treat: Should we expect to ensure the prognosis?, should we use a statistical approach, or does use an individualized approach in mind the possibility of limiting the therapeutic effort?. Must identify the criteria to differentiate those medical interventions that are morally accepted that they are not, what prevents us to excesses either “aggressive therapy” or default “passive euthanasia”. We believe that we have not found a definitive answer, but note that a new trend is called “ethical response” recommended to be alert and able to react to all regulatory signals that vibrate in any decision-making context. The moral openness, mutual support, respect for the mystery of life, and cultivate humanism are part of the single line axiological likely lead man on the right track.