Why we should stop using animal-derived products on patients without their consent

• Published in: Journal of medical ethics Vol. 48; no. 10; pp. 702 - 706
• Main Author: Rodger, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics 01.10.2022; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: applied and professional ethics; Atheism; Biological products; clinical ethics; education for health care professionals; Ethics; Informed consent; Medical equipment; Medical ethics; Original research; paternalism; Patients; Religion; Values; Veganism; Vegetarianism; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; applied and professional ethics; paternalism; ethics; education for health care professionals; clinical ethics
• ISSN: 0306-6800; 1473-4257; 1473-4257
• DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2021-107371

Medicines and medical devices containing animal-derived ingredients are frequently used on patients without their informed consent, despite a significant proportion of patients wanting to know if an animal-derived product is going to be used in their care. Here, I outline three arguments for why this practice is wrong. First, I argue that using animal-derived medical products on patients without their informed consent undermines respect for their autonomy. Second, it risks causing nontrivial psychological harm. Third, it is morally inconsistent to respect patients’ dietary preferences and then use animal-derived medicines or medical devices on them without their informed consent. I then address several anticipated objections and conclude that the continued failure to address this issue is an ethical blind spot that warrants applying the principles of respect for autonomy and informed consent consistently.