heb

Beneficence is considered a core principle of medical ethics. Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is used almost synonymously with beneficence and has become the gold standard of efficiency of conventional medicine. Conventional modern medicine and EBM in particular are based on what Heidegger called calculative thinking, whereas complementary medicine (CM) is often based on contemplative thinking according to Heidegger's distinction of different thinking processes. A central issue of beneficence is the striving for health and wellbeing.

Patients with respiratory tract infections are frequently treated by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. This editorial reviews current literature on the most popular CAM modalities used by these patients: acupuncture, herbal therapy, vitamins and homeopathy. Several good quality trials in acupuncture, herbal therapy and homeopathy have reported positive effects in allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Patients with respiratory tract infections are frequently treated by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. This editorial reviews current literature on the most popular CAM modalities used by these patients: acupuncture, herbal therapy, vitamins and homeopathy. Several good quality trials in acupuncture, herbal therapy and homeopathy have reported positive effects in allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Patients with respiratory tract infections are frequently treated by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. This editorial reviews current literature on the most popular CAM modalities used by these patients: acupuncture, herbal therapy, vitamins and homeopathy. Several good quality trials in acupuncture, herbal therapy and homeopathy have reported positive effects in allergic rhinitis and asthma.

In this day and age, we have been granted longevity--both a blessing and a curse. Longevity has resulted in new diseases, illnesses and long-term disabilities due to the shift from death caused by acute infectious diseases and by chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiac and vascular diseases, to morbidity caused by chronic cases of arthritis, Alzheimer's and sensory disabilities--auditory and visual.

Vegetarianism in its various forms, is widely encountered in different societies all over the world; thus, combining nutritional, social, behavioral and psychological aspects. The prevalence of vegetarianism in the western world, as well as in Israel, is dealt with in this review. The extent of vegetarianism among young patients with eating disorders is much higher than in any other age group. Anorexia nervosa patients in Israel admit to be vegetarians in 85% (mean), as compared to 65% (mean) in other western countries.

Borderline personality is a well known concept in psychiatric literature, however, not fully understood as to its very nature. This article presents a short review of hypothesized etiologies of the borderline personality, starting with so called traditional theories, namely, borderline personality as a consolidated personality organization, in which the patient pathologically deals with his or her inner aggression, or with an enduring developmental failure.

The lack of organs for transplantation is a worldwide problem that has created a moral conflict between the traditional altruistic basis of organ donation and alternative solutions based on utilitarian grounds. Survival of grafts achieved in recent decades after unrelated living-donor kidney transplantation between spouses is longer than with deceased donor transplantation. This experience justified the extension of kidney donation beyond the traditional close family relationships including: anonymous donors and paired exchange programs.

The new Israeli Organ Transplant Law grants priority in organ allocation to candidates for transplantation who have registered as organ donors at least 3 years prior to being listed or have been Live organ donors or have a first degree relative who has been a deceased donor. This unique law resurrects the old ethical principle of reciprocal altruism in which each partner in society helps the other while he helps himself. The altruist benefits because in time he, in turn, is helped.

In 2008 Israel enacted a new law on organ transplantation which granted priority on the waiting list to holders of donor-cards who become patients in need of organ transplantation. This paper offers ethical criticism of the priority system arguing that the "reward" is by necessary also a "punishment". Moreover, because donor-cards have no binding power in Israeli law, the reward/punishment is actually directed at declarations, not actions, and, consequently, violates the freedom of conscience and expression.