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Review
. 2019 Sep;16(3):323-331.
doi: 10.1007/s11673-019-09903-7. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Mapping Bioethics in Latin America: History, Theoretical Models, and Scientific Output

Lucas F Garcia  1 , Marcia S Fernandes  2 , Jonathan D Moreno  3 , Jose R Goldim  2
Affiliations
Review

Mapping Bioethics in Latin America: History, Theoretical Models, and Scientific Output

Lucas F Garcia et al. J Bioeth Inq. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To present a narrative review of the history of bioethics in Latin America and of scientific output in this interdisciplinary field.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study.

Results: A total of 1458 records were retrieved, of which 1167 met the inclusion criteria. According to the Web of Science classification, the predominant topics of study were medical ethics (n= 488), social sciences and medicine (n= 354), and environmental and public health topics (n= 279). Four themes of bioethics output in the Latin American literature have emerged: (a) issues involving the beginning and end of life, (b) ethics in human research, (c) patient-provider relationships, and (d) ethics training for health professionals.

Conclusion: Although bioethics is a growing interdisciplinary field in Latin America, its academic impact is still very low, and programmes are highly concentrated in large urban centres in a few countries. Challenges includes the regional and international impact of local scientific output.

Keywords: History of bioethics; Latin America; Latin American bioethics; Mixed method research.

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Comment in

  • A Journey Through Global Bioethics.
    Orfali K. Orfali K. J Bioeth Inq. 2019 Sep;16(3):305-308. doi: 10.1007/s11673-019-09939-9. J Bioeth Inq. 2019. PMID: 31493188 No abstract available.

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