Bioethics and medical/legal considerations on cochlear implants in children


Autoria(s): Miziara, Ivan Dieb; Molleis Galego Miziara, Carmen Silvia; Tsuji, Robson Koji; Bento, Ricardo Ferreira
Contribuinte(s)

UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO

Data(s)

04/11/2013

04/11/2013

2012

Resumo

Cochlear implants are the best treatment for congenital profound deafness. Pediatric candidates to implantation are seen as vulnerable citizens, and the decision of implanting cochlear devices is ultimately in the hands of their parents/guardians. The Brazilian Penal Code dictates that deaf people may enjoy diminished criminal capacity. Many are the bioethical controversies around cochlear implants, as representatives from the deaf community have seen in them a means of decimating their culture and intrinsic values. Objective: This paper aims to discuss, in bioethical terms, the validity of implanting cochlear hearing aids in children by analyzing their vulnerability and the social/cultural implications of the procedure itself, aside from looking into the medical/legal aspects connected to their criminal capacity. Materials and Methods: The topic was searched on databases Medline and Lilacs; ethical analysis was done based on principialist bioethics. Results: Cochlear implants are the best therapeutic option for people with profound deafness and are morally justified. The level of criminal capacity attributed to deaf people requires careful analysis of the subject's degree of understanding and determination when carrying out the acts for which he/she has been charged. Conclusion: Cochlear implants are morally valid. Implantations must be analyzed on an each case basis. ENT physicians bear the ethical responsibility for indicating cochlear implants and must properly inform the child's parents/guardians and get their written consent before performing the procedure.

Identificador

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, SAO PAULO, v. 78, n. 3, supl., Part 1, pp. 70-79, MAY-JUN, 2012

1808-8694

http://www.producao.usp.br/handle/BDPI/37842

10.1590/S1808-86942012000300013

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-86942012000300013

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

ASSOC BRASILEIRA OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA & CIRURGIA CERVICOFACIAL

SAO PAULO

Relação

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

Direitos

openAccess

Copyright ASSOC BRASILEIRA OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA & CIRURGIA CERVICOFACIAL

Palavras-Chave #BIOETHICS #COCHLEAR IMPLANTS #FORENSIC MEDICINE #DEAF-CHILDREN #ETHICS #OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY
Tipo

article

original article

publishedVersion