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Showing 4 results for Vaccine
Ethics in plant made vaccines
Hasan Rahnama,
Volume 5, Issue 6 (12-2012)
Abstract
In recent years, vaccination programs have advanced significantly due to the progress in molecular biology and biotechnology. Research on plant-made vaccines has become a very tempting subject and transgenic plant technology to produce human or animal vaccines has attracted much attention. Numerous advantages have been reported for vaccine production in transgenic plants such as low cost, ease of maintenance, lack of infection, and high compatibility with the immune system. So far, many of these vaccines are being produced in various plants. The present paper attempts to introduce plant made-vaccines and at the same time discuss the ethical aspects related to the production and clinical testing of these vaccines from three aspects: production of edible vaccines in transgenic plants, clinical tests on plant-made vaccines and plant-made vaccines and global health. Although many aspects of the ethical issues related to plant made vaccines are those that have been reported in transgenic plants, new problems have risen for ethicists and policy makers. Furthermore, the hope of the widespread use of these types of vaccines in developing countries without considering the possibility of plant surveys is unrealistic. Therefore, commercial feasibility for the development of plant-made vaccines in developing countries is very important as a solution to global health problems.
The introduction of Benefactors of Pasteur Institute of Iran and the Role of the Waqf Tradition in the Establishment and Promotion of this Institute
Ehsan Mostafavi, Marziye Taheri,
Volume 12, Issue 0 (3-2019)
Abstract
Waqf (donation) has a long history in human history and can have a high impact on economics, society, and culture. One of the most influential fields of the waqf is on human health. This study is a descriptive study. In this article, after reviewing the tradition of waqf and charity throughout history, and the experiences of charity in other countries, including the Pasteur Institute of Paris, the role of waqf in establishment and promotion of Pasteur Institute of Iran is reviewed and the benefactors of this institute are introduced. The headquarters of the Pasteur Institute of Iran in Tehran and its branches in Shemiran, Khalid Islambouli, Amol (north) and Hamadan (west) are donated by the charities for diagnosis, production of vaccines, and research in the field of contagious diseases’ control and prevention.  In Iran, most cases of waqf on health have been dedicated in the field of treatment, but Pasteur Institute of Iran is a successful example in the field of public health and specialized health services. One of the ways to expand waqf is to explain the effects of these endowments in society. Investigating the role and influence of Pasteur Institute of Iran in promoting public health can be a good explanation of the impact of these endowments in the field of health. It is suggested that Pasteur institute of Iran and its persistent effects be explained to the beneficent, so that some of the future endowments be extended to areas such as public health and diagnostic services.

Ethical Issues in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Saeedeh Saeedi Tehrani, Fatemeh Bahmani, Mina Forouzandeh, Akram Hashemi,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (3-2021)
Abstract
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers aspired to produce an effective vaccine with appropriate efficacy and low side effects to mitigate the pandemic. It seems that vaccination is the only mean to save the world from this pandemic. In this article, we will review the ethical challenges of mass vaccination (focusing on the vaccine distribution and uptake), referring to the main principles of bioethics. Safe and standard manufacturing and passing scientific and ethical stages, as well as evaluation of efficacy and safety monitoring, are the main considerations in the production of vaccines. Justice requires that vulnerable and high-risk individuals be vaccinated sooner. Public vaccination must therefore be ethically prioritized. Individuals may for some reason resist vaccination. For example due to, the confusion caused by mass media information, public’s distrust of the medical profession, the proposed relationship between vaccination and development of certain diseases, and finally low death rate due to covid 19 in some groups, especially young and healthy individuals. However, as the disease is highly contagious and if it spreads, the death rate and hospitalization due to the disease rises sharply, and the consequences of the disease mainly affect vulnerable people, in moral decision-making, the benefits and harms of the vaccine for each person should be considered against the benefits for and harms to the society. In addition, to respect the individuals’ autonomy, cultural modalities and persuasive programs shall be considered. This article is aimed to address the ethical issues of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout while proposing practical solutions to handle them.

Ethical Challenges in Parental Refusal of Mandatory Vaccination of Children: Balancing Parental Autonomy and Public Health
Farzaneh Soleimani, Leila Afshar,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination has significantly reduced the burden of infectious diseases. However, low disease rates do not eliminate the need for continuous monitoring to address the threat of potential outbreaks. The presence of unimmunized individuals can place any community at risk of disease outbreaks. This review aimed to explore the ethical challenges associated with parental refusal to vaccinate children and to identify knowledge gaps in this area for further research within the country. A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect. The final selection included 35 academic articles, one book, and one master’s thesis. In Iran, as in many other countries, anti-vaccination movements have grown in recent years, particularly following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. These movements often oppose vaccination for reasons such as philosophical or religious beliefs, poor health literacy, mistrust in healthcare systems, and personal or social experiences. The debate surrounding mandatory vaccination has persisted, primarily due to ethical concerns about coercion. One of the central ethical challenges involves the conflict between parental autonomy and public health. The degree to which parental autonomy is respected is a critical issue in the ethics of vaccination. Factors such as misinformation, inadequate information, or misinterpretation of information can constrain parental autonomy. Conversely, the state has a duty and vested interest in safeguarding children from harm, which may lead to challenging parental autonomy in cases where a child’s well-being is at risk. In conclusion, the extent of parental autonomy in planned interventions such as vaccination depends on the balance between the benefits and burdens of the intervention, taking into account the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. The greater the benefit, the less decisive parental autonomy becomes, and vice versa. Various studies addressing this issue have proposed strategies such as public education, organizing community-level vaccination discussions, educating vaccine-hesitant parents with evidence-based information, providing trustworthy resources for research, identifying factors influencing parental autonomy, conducting regular follow-ups, and implementing negative policies, including legal enforcement, fines, and restrictions on access to daycare centers and schools.

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