The Dark Side of Medical Tourism?: End of Life Choice, Human Trafficking, and Organ Transplants

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Author(s): Malcolm Cooper (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan)and Mayumi Hieda (St Luke Clinic, Japan)
Copyright: 2015
Pages: 13
Source title: Current Issues and Emerging Trends in Medical Tourism
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Malcolm Cooper (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan), Kazem Vafadari (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan)and Mayumi Hieda (St. Luke Clinic, Oita, Japan)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-8574-1.ch017

Keywords: Business & Management / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Management / Medical Diagnosis and Practice / Medical Information Science Reference

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Abstract

There are 4 principles that should govern the response of the healthcare system in its treatment of individual medical problems. These may be summarized as: 1. medical care should be accessible to all; 2. the principle of patient autonomy should govern decision-making; 3. medical treatment should be recognized as being part of cultural behavior; and, 4. the medical profession should support the benefit of the patient. However, the combination of these with the rising cost of healthcare and the impact of globalization, has led to a dark side for medical tourism. In this situation, both patients and physicians are faced with ethical, human security and sustainability issues. This chapter examines 3 major issues in medical tourism: end of life choice, trafficking in human bodies and body parts, and organ transplants. In the healthcare systems of many countries, these issues can also involve criminal activities.

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