Clinical Bioethics

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A new perspective on sexual and reproductive rights

The research project addressing sexual and reproductive rights, conducted using the case series at the Bioethical Committee of São Lucas Hospital of PUCRS, is one of the latest innovative studies performed by the Teaching and Research Group on Bioethics. By surveying the documents produced by this committee throughout its 15 years of existence since 1997, the researchers were able to identify the potential of a subject that has been sparsely explored by the bioethical literature. Cases interpreted by the doctors, for instance, involving breaches of confidentiality, were analyzed under the novel perspective of sexual and reproductive rights based on notions developed by the World Health Organization. This study is included within an international project that seeks to develop thorough bioethical and juridical studies on the autonomy of women in regard to the constitutionally granted right to health. The results of this study were published in 2011 as a chapter in a book published by the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics at the University of Barcelona upon its request.

The group’s projects are organized along three lines of research: clinical bioethics, bioethics and gender (to which the above-mentioned example is related), and confidentiality and privacy. The latter research aims to study problems related to the dual nature of confidentiality in health care, i.e., as a professional duty and a right of patients.

A project that will conduct field interviews with plastic surgeons to investigate the trust-based relationship with patients and the use of informed consent forms, which in Brazil have no legal value yet, is in its initial stage. The cases are currently being analyzed on the grounds of Resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council. Certified by the CNPq since 2008, this group is chaired by Professor Jussara de Azambuja Loch, MD, and is located at the Institute of Bioethics of PUCRS.