BIOETIKA U RUMUNJSKOJ
BIOETHICS IN ROMANIA

Summary/Abstract: The first attempts at establishing medical ethics in Romania appeared after the fall of communism in 1989. Namely, during the communist dictatorship, it had not been possible to discuss the ethical aspects of medical practice, which enabled a great deal of medical abuse for political purposes. Despite aggravating circumstances, such as the non-existence of a health-care law, after the 1989 revolution, positive changes finally occurred including the establishment of bioethical committees at the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Ministry of Public Health, and of the Bioethical Center at the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, which develops its regional centers throughout Romania. They are dealing with new bioethical issues concerning the treatment of patients with AIDS, transplant procedures etc. A survey of debates is also given pertaining to the issue of assisted conception and education. The author reports about the religious communities' views on bioethics, bioethical periodicals, scientific gatherings and legislation. He also portrays the bioethical committees' attitudes toward classical "moral" issues such as homosexuality and transsexuality.

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