Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Law
The Empire Of Death: How Culture And Economics Affect Informed Consent In The U.S., The U.K., And Japan, George J. Annas, Frances H. Miller
The Empire Of Death: How Culture And Economics Affect Informed Consent In The U.S., The U.K., And Japan, George J. Annas, Frances H. Miller
Faculty Scholarship
Historically, most Americans have treated health care as a private commodity whose price, and therefore availability, is primarily determined by market forces. In such a context, the law not unsurprisingly places a high premium on information disclosure by physicians. Personal autonomy-an individual's power to choose among medical options-enjoys its most zealous protection under U.S. jurisprudence.7 The dominant U.S. version of informed consent is grounded on principles of patient/consumer autonomy, and seems to enhance market choice. But a strong theme of collectivism now runs through some discussions of U.S. health policy.8 President Clinton was elected at least in part …