Keeping the Faith: What Doctors and Ethicists Need to Know About Muslim and Jewish Medical Ethics
Fahmida Hossain, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY; Ezra Gabbay, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY; Joseph J. Fins, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY; and Pablo Rodriguez del Pozo, Qatar Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar, Qatar
Western bioethics traditionally adheres to a predominantly secular ethical foundation. However, this framework often poses challenges for religious minorities in the West, particularly observant-traditional Muslims and Orthodox Jews. While current geopolitical realities highlight conflict between adherents of these two religions, their ethical worldviews and moral reasoning exhibit striking parallels and commonalities. Moreover, their deeply rooted theocentric and scriptural beliefs can lead to unique moral dilemmas in medical settings.
Our novel study aims to comprehensively explore shared elements between these two faith traditions and their implications in medical decision-making. Through the analysis of religious texts and biomedical literature, we investigate how religious beliefs and cultural norms influence individual and family choices across a wide spectrum of medical contexts, including end-of-life decisions, genetic consultations, family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, pediatric care, mental health, and associated stigmas.
Our objective goes beyond mere description; we aspire to provide invaluable insights and practical guidance to healthcare practitioners and clinicians in Western countries. These guidelines are thoughtfully crafted to help healthcare professionals address ethically complex concerns with cultural sensitivity and deep understanding. In doing so, we aim to foster medical environments that excel not only in clinical proficiency but also in their ability to embrace the rich tapestry of diverse cultural and religious perspectives that enrich the Western healthcare landscape. This study seeks to bridge the gap between Western bioethics and the unique needs of devout traditional Muslim and Orthodox Jewish populations, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to these communities. Finally, we hope that by highlighting the shared values of these faiths in the context of healing, we can offer a hopeful perspective at a time of enormous upheaval and conflict in the Middle East.
Our novel study aims to comprehensively explore shared elements between these two faith traditions and their implications in medical decision-making. Through the analysis of religious texts and biomedical literature, we investigate how religious beliefs and cultural norms influence individual and family choices across a wide spectrum of medical contexts, including end-of-life decisions, genetic consultations, family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, pediatric care, mental health, and associated stigmas.
Our objective goes beyond mere description; we aspire to provide invaluable insights and practical guidance to healthcare practitioners and clinicians in Western countries. These guidelines are thoughtfully crafted to help healthcare professionals address ethically complex concerns with cultural sensitivity and deep understanding. In doing so, we aim to foster medical environments that excel not only in clinical proficiency but also in their ability to embrace the rich tapestry of diverse cultural and religious perspectives that enrich the Western healthcare landscape. This study seeks to bridge the gap between Western bioethics and the unique needs of devout traditional Muslim and Orthodox Jewish populations, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to these communities. Finally, we hope that by highlighting the shared values of these faiths in the context of healing, we can offer a hopeful perspective at a time of enormous upheaval and conflict in the Middle East.