Question

Provide an example that illustrates Helman’s (2007) assertion that modern medicine also constitutes “a system of morality”?

Answer 1

Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values to the practice of clinical procedures to treat and cure a patient. Helman [2007] has rightly stated that culture and religious beliefs have a huge impact on health and illness, health practices and care. Even under normal conditions, culture plays an important role through food, diet, nutrition and dietary taboos. Some medicines, which are supposed to contain prohibited composition as per certain religious groups, will not be taken by them no matter how much the health providers try to convince.

One example of this is seen in the administration of polio drops to young children in some South Asian countries. A particular religious group, including a large population in South Asian countries, do not let health workers give polio drops to their children because they believe that the drops contain chemicals which can make their children sterile. Because of this belief, thousands of children get affected by polio each year in these countries.