EACME Newsletter 44

1 December 2016
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Newsletter

Download the full December 2016 EACME Newsletter

Editorial R. Porz and G. Birchley

EACME overview 2016 A. Heijnen

Internal news – Composition of the EACME Board

Prescription of drugs: yes, dialysis: maybe, heart surgery, no? A. Genske

The European Summer School on Clinical Ethics Support Services (CESS) R. Pegoraro and L. Caenazzo

Ethical issues in the context of prenatal genomics: PAGE (Prenatal Assessment of Genomes and Exomes) Ethics Programme M. Parker and R. Horn

The new Center for Clinical Ethics at Insubria University, Varese Italy F. Nicoli

Quelle vision il y a 50 ans des enjeux éthiques en médecine? J. Martin

The Many Faces of Research Integrity B. Penders

Appropriate Care and Ethics in advanced cancer A. Bernardi

Book review Jean Martin Emmanuel Hirsch End of Life Issues

Introduction new center: Sphere, Paris

Introduction new center: Francisco Valles, Madrid

Short abstract PhD thesis Olga Zvonareva HES, Maastricht University Advanced European Bioethics Course ‘Suffering, Death and Palliative Care‘

Hans Joachim Schwager Award for Clinical Ethics

Deadline next Newsletter

Editorial Board

Editorial

EACME, the world, engagement – introducing the new editor Dr. Giles Birchley

Dear EACME friends and colleagues,

I, Rouven, have now been the editor of our wonderful EACME newsletter for more than 8 years. 8 years! The time has come, to pass on this privilege to someone ‘new’. This is not easy for me. The EACME as a whole, and the newsletter in particular, are very important to me. One could almost say: I identify with the EACME very strongly. This is why I am very happy to announce that our new editor Giles Birchley – you may read more about him below –will take over the task as editor-in-chief. With him we have found a conscientious, enthusiastic and engaged new colleague for this task.

I have always written the editorial with great pleasure, although it has not always been easy for me. Especially in those moments that grave world events (terroristic attacks, wars, famine, epidemics) overshadowed our life. Then I have always wondered: What can Ethics offer in these situations? Is Ethics not merely a luxury of the western world? And how do I have to deal with these big occurrences and topics in my small newsletter? Sometimes I mentioned these issues, sometimes I concealed them. Yet, I always felt that Ethics can help to reflect on the current value conflicts of the world and that she may not merely hide herself behind the desk of a university. Ethics is not always political, as Aristotle proclaimed already, and we may not deny this or forget it. We may also not hide behind destructive allegations of Bio power or fig-leaf ethics. Let’s remain engaged. Our authenticity will then also enable us to keep an eye on world events while trying to act as best as possible on a local level. I believe that the EACME as an association plays an important role in this global world of ours. This is not only true on a symbolic level but also as it is a catalyser for themes and networks and positive engagement. Engagement! Yes, I like this; it shall be my last work as the editor of this newsletter. Engagement. Herewith, I am very happy to pass on the torch to Giles…

Many thanks for these inspiring words, Rouven, and many thanks to you for your many dedicated years in this role. I am excited to take over, although nervous that I have a lot to live up to. For the readers, it seems only fair that I tell you a little about myself: I am an early career researcher based at the Centre for Ethics in Medicine at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. I have a clinical background, in nursing, and have relatively recently made the transition to academic bioethics, gaining my PhD in 2015. That said I have met many of you, having been lucky enough to attend three of the last five EACME conferences.

With this in mind I ask you first to bear with me as I find my way in this new role. My intention from the outset is to maintain the high standard of editorship that Rouven has shown, while at the same time keeping these newsletters as open as possible to the readers. Do please use this newsletter to let the network know about the projects you are engaged in. I hope the newsletter continues to inform and engage about the issues and dilemmas that face clinical practice – as a network we can provide a unique window to understand what is happening in practice across the nations of Europe, and to give one another insights into our areas of expertise and common interests. Finally I cannot avoid noting that, at a time when the United Kingdom is engaged in a sometimes ugly debate about redefining our relationship with the European Union, I hope that EACME continues to contribute to fostering understanding across the subcontinent. For these goals I am sure I have your support – I look forward to addressing you again in the next newsletter, which will be my first at the helm.