This book provides a systematic analysis of the ethical implications of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM), focusing on pragmatic solutions. The author uses a bioethical methodology called the Ethical Matrix, to consider the impact of T&CM use for animals and the environment as well as for humans.

A systematic search of the literature reveals that most published ethical concerns are related to the safety of T&CM use for humans. However, application of the Ethical Matrix demonstrates that the ethical implications for T&CM use are much broader. In this book, the author analyses the most serious implications, including adverse events related to homeopathy, the use of animals in T&CM products, and the impact of herbal medicine on the environment. Comparisons with the ethical implications of conventional biomedicine help readers to contextualise debate, and highlight aspects that may be unique to T&CM.

Globally, many high-level health policy makerspromote T&CM as an accessible and affordable healthcare option. However, their use is considered by some to be a waste of resources, unscientific, and unethical. Offering a frank analysis of this largely ignored field of healthcare ethics, this book is both timely and essential. It helps patients, policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and students gain the knowledge they need to make more informed decisions.

Autorentext
Doris Schroeder is Director of the Centre for Professional Ethics at the University of Central Lancashire UK and Professor of Moral Philosophy at the School of Law, UCLan Cyprus. She is the Lead Author of the TRUST Code and has been working with the San community in South Africa since 2003 and the sex worker community in Nairobi since 2007. Kate Chatfield is Reader at the Centre for Professional Ethics, UCLan UK and editor of SAGE Research Ethics (2020-2024). She is an empirical ethicist and specialises in research ethics and global justice. Roger Chennells was legal advisor to the South African San Council and San communities for 30 years. He is a founding partner of the human rights law practice Chennells Albertyn, founded in 1981. One of his specialist areas of engagement is Indigenous rights. He also holds a PhD in ethics. Hazel Partington is Senior Research Fellow in Ethics and Health at the Centre for Professional Ethics, UCLan UK. She is a social scientist who recently moved into the field of research ethics from educational research. Joshua Kimani is an epidemiologist and Director of the Sex Workers Outreach Programme clinics in Nairobi County (SWOP). The ten research clinics provide free HIV prevention and treatment services to over 40,000 female sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSMs), 4,700 of whom are living with HIV and are on antiretrovirals (ARVs). Gill Thomson is Professor in Perinatal Health at UCLan UK, a social scientist with specialist expertise in a range of qualitative methodologies, in particular hermeneutic phenomenology, and qualitative/ narrative based systematic reviews, as well as a keen interest in community research. Joyce Adhiambo Odhiambo is the community Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention lead at SWOP in Nairobi. She has represented the Nairobi sex worker community on national and international platforms and conferences, winning major awards, for example the Me and My Healthcare Provider award in Mental Health in 2022. Leana Snyders is the Director of the South African San Council and the Festival Director of the Kalahari Desert Festival. She previously worked as a chief diamond sorter and a senior data compiler for marine and mineral resources, among other activities. She has been involved in advocacy work on behalf of the South African San for almost 15 years. Collin Louw is the Chair of the Board of the South African San Council, a !Khomani San who is also the Project Manager of the Northern Cape Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centre and Chairman of the Andries Steenkamp Benefit Sharing Trust. He has been an activist for San development and San rights for the past 30 years.

Klappentext

Chapter 1. Defining traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 2: Defining health.- Chapter 3: An ethical matrix for traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 4: Ethical challenges for humans using traditional and complementary medicines.- Chapter 5: Ethical challenges for animals from traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 6: Ethical challenges for the environment from traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 7: Is traditional and complementary medicine ethical?.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Defining traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 2: Defining health.- Chapter 3: An ethical matrix for traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 4: Ethical challenges for humans using traditional and complementary medicines.- Chapter 5: Ethical challenges for animals from traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 6: Ethical challenges for the environment from traditional and complementary medicine.- Chapter 7: Is traditional and complementary medicine ethical?.