akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics

Vol. 20 (1405)

Rethinking the Classification of Ethical Issues in Medical Sciences: The Necessity of a Comprehensive Model

akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics, Vol. 20 (1405), 13 July 2026 , Page 1-15
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v20i.50819

Abstract

Background and Aim: Ethical issues in medical sciences have become increasingly complex and diverse with the expansion of emerging technologies. In this context, classifying these issues can contribute to better comprehension, more structured education, and more precise analysis of ethical challenges. This study was conducted to review the classification of ethical issues in medical sciences and to explain the necessity of adopting a comprehensive and multidimensional framework.

Methods: This study was a narrative review. To identify relevant published articles, searches were done in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, and Magiran databases and the Google Scholar search engine from 2000 to 2025 using keywords including medical ethics, bioethics, classification, and conceptual frameworks. Included articles were then reviewed and analyzed in terms of classification type, area of focus, and conceptual limitations.

Ethical Considerations: In this research, the ethical aspects of library-based research, including the authenticity of texts, honesty, and academic integrity, were observed.

Results: The literature review showed that ethical issues in medical sciences can be examined through several major approaches, including stakeholder-based, temporal-stage-based, conceptual and principle-based, and context-based approaches. While each of these classifications has certain advantages, they also face limitations in addressing the increasing complexity of medical sciences, emerging technologies, and broader challenges in healthcare systems. The literature also indicated that a considerable proportion of ethical issues in medical sciences arise in areas such as the beginning of life, clinical care, end-of-life care, biomedical research, public health, emerging technologies, and medical education and organization.

Conclusion: Given the diversity, overlap, and dynamic nature of ethical issues in medical sciences, existing classifications alone do not appear sufficient to encompass all dimensions of this field. Therefore, considering the development of a comprehensive and multidimensional framework in this area is essential.

Keywords:
  • Bioethics
  • Classification
  • Narrative Review
  • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Sciences

How to Cite

Torabifar, M. (2026). Rethinking the Classification of Ethical Issues in Medical Sciences: The Necessity of a Comprehensive Model. akhlāq-I Pizishkī i.E., Medical Ethics, 20, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v20i.50819

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