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This paper examines debates relating to international aid, civil society, and natural resource conflicts, through a case study of conflict sensitivity programming in Cambodia. The paper highlights the value of confrontational activism, yet the practice of conflict sensitivity can dissuade such activism. Embedded in the country's history and politics, the paper analyses the conflict sensitivity work of an international non-government organisation, revealing significant community-level success, including women's empowerment, but limitations in addressing systemic drivers of conflict. The case study also reveals how the application of conflict sensitivity contributed towards conflict and risk avoidance. In a global context of prevalent natural resource conflicts and related violence, this paper calls for critical reflection on the practice of conflict sensitivity, which continues to gain popularity globally. For development institutions and practitioners, conflict sensitivity has extensive value, but it must be implemented in ways that do not inadvertently dissuade more emancipatory civil society activism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International humanitarian law (IHL) does not address business entities, except in situations where they directly participate in hostilities, and there is no reference to business actors in the International Committee of the Red Cross's recent Guidelines on the Protection of the Natural Environment in Armed Confl ict. Yet, there has been an increasing reaffirmation of specific "duties", "obligations" or "responsibilities" imposed on private companies operating in conflict zones. For instance, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights suggest that business entities should respect IHL rules in addition to human rights during armed conflicts, and the third revised draft of the international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises refers to IHL as an interpretative framework of human rights obligations of States and businesses. The International Law Commission's 2022 Draft Principles on the Protection of the Environment during Armed Conflicts are even more specific, providing that corporations should exercise due diligence concerning the protection of the environment when acting in conflict-affected areas. However, these references to IHL as applicable to business activities remain vague and lack elaboration. This paper intends to close this gap by clarifying whether and, if so, the extent to which IHL imposes environmental obligations upon private companies in conflict situations. It submits that business entities bear environmental duties during armed conflicts deriving from IHL rules and other complementary sources of international law. The paper further discusses the content of the obligation of business entities not to harm the environment as well as their due diligence obligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One concern about the application of medical artificial intelligence (AI) regards the “black box” feature which can only be viewed in terms of its inputs and outputs, with no way to understand the AI's algorithm. This is problematic because patients, physicians, and even designers, do not understand why or how a treatment recommendation is produced by AI technologies. One view claims that the worry about black-box medicine is unreasonable because AI systems outperform human doctors in identifying the disease. Furthermore, under the medical AI-physician-patient model, the physician can undertake the responsibility of interpreting the medical AI's diagnosis. In this study, we focus on the potential harm caused by the unexplainability feature of medical AI and try to show that such possible harm is underestimated. We will seek to contribute to the literature from three aspects. First, we appealed to a thought experiment to show that although the medical AI systems perform better on accuracy, the harm caused by medical AI's misdiagnoses may be more serious than that caused by human doctors’ misdiagnoses in some cases. Second, in patient-centered medicine, physicians were obligated to provide adequate information to their patients in medical decision-making. However, the unexplainability feature of medical AI systems would limit the patient's autonomy. Last, we tried to illustrate the psychological and financial burdens that may be caused by the unexplainablity feature of medical AI systems, which seems to be ignored by the previous ethical discussions.

Motivation: Pacific aid research has largely focused on national issues and social justice, rather than spatial justice and the development of remote outer islands. In particular, the perspectives of remote outer island populations on aid have not previously been assessed. Purpose: This study explores the experiences and views of the population of a remote Pacific outer island, Mauke in the Cook Islands, on the foreign aid they receive. By listening to and learning from local people living with aid on a remote outer island, this article seeks to address spatially insensitive Pacific aid research and policy. Based on these insights, the article derives policy implications for aid and development actors working on Mauke and other remote outer islands in the Pacific. Methods and approach: Employing a mixed‐methods approach, this article draws on field research conducted on Mauke, involving in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and a quantitative survey. Findings: The people of Mauke are divided about whether the island should receive more or less aid. Those calling for more aid tend to be younger; they stress the need for infrastructure development. Those advocating for less aid tend to be older; they argue that aid has harmed Mauke by decreasing endogenous initiatives and creating social tensions, both of which reduce social cohesion among the remote island population. Policy implications: Rather than investing in "community‐based/−led development"—doing development with the community, aid to remote Pacific outer islands should focus more on "community development"—with the aim of enhancing social cohesion among peripheral islands. Donors, governments, and development partners must carefully reflect on the degree to which their interventions may harm social cohesion and the endogenous development potential of remote outer island populations. These implications matter given the persistence of uncritical (mis)representations and (mis)conceptions of remote Pacific outer island populations as harmonious and mutually supportive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although science widely supports moving towards transformative change through integrating biodiversity into decision-making, and arguing for the essential role of public authorities, it falls short on suggesting specific means to that end. This article considers the EU's approach to fostering the green transition as part of its post-pandemic recovery while exploring how the integration of biodiversity considerations could be integrated into decision-making. The rationale and implementation of the EU's do no harm principle is examined, which functioned as a condition for public funds. The analysis shows the mentioned EU policy innovation has a very limited impact. The role of do no harm has been limited to validating, rather than initiating policy measures. It has failed to influence the design of measures such that they would benefit biodiversity and not encouraged synergies between the climate and biodiversity goals. Based on the experience with do no harm as well as the more focussed regulatory action directed at the goal of climate neutrality, the article lists key steps for fostering biodiversity integration in policy planning and policy implementation. These steps encompass substantive and procedural approaches and aim for deliberation, target-setting, tracking, verification and screening. There is considerable scope for robust regulation to play a role in support of the biodiversity goals alongside transformative bottom-up initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The links between climate change, fragility, and conflict have received growing attention over the past decade. Yet, the theory and analysis underlying conflict-sensitive practice has not figured significantly in these developments, thus limiting effective action and policy. While there is pressing need for climate adaptation efforts, climate change-related disaster response, and low-carbon development to leverage local capacities for peace and avoid exacerbating conflict dynamics, existing conflict sensitivity frameworks (a) lack sufficient emphasis on action and (b) struggle to incorporate the complex, systemic interactions among ecologies, societal conflict, and aid, or other efforts to address fragility. This paper draws on complexity-informed approaches that more directly and practically integrate socio-ecological systems thinking into urgently needed conflict-informed action. Specifically, the paper establishes the basis for integrating CDA Collaborative Learning Projects' systems-based Reflecting on Peace Practice (RPP) approach and Do No Harm (DNH) framework for accountable analysis and action amidst conflict, and reframing the key analytical categories of Connectors and Dividers to Resilience and Vulnerabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, Palestine has been the subject and recipient of significant humanitarian and development aid. This article critiques the humanitarian and developmental assistance provided by major donors in Palestine, with a particular focus on the E-1 area in the central West Bank, highlighting its depoliticisation and the misdiagnosis of the context of Palestine as a post-conflict situation, and showing how aid has had an adverse effect on Palestinians. This article, drawing on the Do No Harm approach, argues that aid has not only been ineffective in achieving its stated goals, but has also harmed Palestinians by entrenching the occupation and advancing settler colonialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this viewpoint, Dr Mary B. Anderson, the founder of the "Do No Harm" approach in 1993, reflects on the approach and its application as a way of suggesting lessons and challenges for the present and the future. Fundamentally, she argues that "Do No Harm" is about accountability to the people we intend to help and asking the difficult questions that enhance the aid sector to learn over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores recent research on uses of Do No Harm within faith communities. Drawing on case studies from Kenya, El Salvador, and the Philippines, the authors argue that there is an important nexus among conflict sensitivity, personal growth, and spiritual (trans)formation. The research focuses particularly on World Vision's Do No Harm for Faith Groups (DNH4FG), a resource for introducing Do No Harm to faith actors within inter- and intra-religious settings. The authors conclude that the integration of DNH practice has significant potential to deepen and expand the work of interfaith cooperation and social action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the impact artificial intelligence (AI)–based medical technologies (hardware devices, software programs, and mobile apps) can have on society, debates regarding the principles behind their development and deployment are emerging. Using the biopsychosocial model applied in psychiatry and other fields of medicine as our foundation, we propose a novel 3-step framework to guide industry developers of AI-based medical tools as well as health care regulatory agencies on how to decide if a product should be launched—a "Go or No-Go" approach. More specifically, our novel framework places stakeholders' (patients, health care professionals, industry, and government institutions) safety at its core by asking developers to demonstrate the biological-psychological (impact on physical and mental health), economic, and social value of their AI tool before it is launched. We also introduce a novel cost-effective, time-sensitive, and safety-oriented mixed quantitative and qualitative clinical phased trial approach to help industry and government health care regulatory agencies test and deliberate on whether to launch these AI-based medical technologies. To our knowledge, our biological-psychological, economic, and social (BPES) framework and mixed method phased trial approach are the first to place the Hippocratic Oath of "Do No Harm" at the center of developers', implementers', regulators', and users' mindsets when determining whether an AI-based medical technology is safe to launch. Moreover, as the welfare of AI users and developers becomes a greater concern, our framework's novel safety feature will allow it to complement existing and future AI reporting guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, the world faced three epidemics caused by novel coronaviruses, namely, SARS-CoV in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 that started in late 2019. Despite a growing understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virology, epidemiology, and clinical management strategies, other aspects, such as mode of delivery, vertical transmission, and maternal bonding, remain controversial. The question we faced upon the decision to separate the neonates of SARS-CoV-2 positive mother is whether we follow the principle of "do no harm"? This is a quality improvement project that analyzed all cases of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies that delivered at a major health care system from March 1, 2020 to June, 1 2020. The article was prepared following Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) 2.0 guidelines. Data were prospectively collected and entered into the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Maternal bonding was defined by events such as rooming-in, skin to skin contact (STSC), and breastfeeding. Descriptive analysis was performed using the same software platform. We compared neonatal transmission rates between those neonates who experienced bonding versus those who were separated. A total of 1989 women were screened for SARS-CoV-2, from which 86 tested positive. Out of 31 analyzed pregnancies, five women (16%) were admitted to ICU and required mechanical ventilation. From the remaining 26 (84%), 17 (65%) opted for rooming-in, 12 (46%) for STSC, and 16 (61%) fed the infants with breastmilk (11 direct breastfeedings and five pumped the breast milk). All neonatal tests for SARS-CoV-2 returned negative. Our results have illustrated that maternal bonding appears safe in neonates born to mothers that are SARS-CoV-2 positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are progressively transforming the humanitarian field, but these technologies bring about significant risks for the protection of vulnerable individuals and populations in situations of conflict and crisis. This article investigates the opportunities and risks of using AI in humanitarian action. It examines whether and under what circumstances AI can be safely deployed to support the work of humanitarian actors in the field. The article argues that AI has the potential to support humanitarian actors as they implement a paradigm shift from reactive to anticipatory approaches to humanitarian action. However, it recommends that the existing risks, including those relating to algorithmic bias and data privacy concerns, must be addressed as a priority if AI is to be put at the service of humanitarian action and not to be deployed at the expense of humanitarianism. In doing so, the article contributes to the current debates on whether it is possible to harness the potential of AI for responsible use in humanitarian action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Palobra is the property of Universidad de Cartagena and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Victor Weisskopf said, "Human existence is based upon two pillars: compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; knowledge without compassion is inhuman." Unfortunately, a cursory examination of how science and engineering have operated historically reveals a litany of instances where they serve oppression, as neither is inherently "good." Both exist within the context of societal frameworks and cannot be isolated panaceas for challenges of the day. This article argues that it is the responsibility of engineers and scientists to decouple our work from oppression by considering two existential crises facing life on Earth, climate change and war, from the framework of science in society to identify points of entwinement between engineering, science, and oppression. Recognition of such frameworks may imbue us with the critical conscientiousness and political consciousness necessary to take commensurate action. Accompaniment and dismantlement are proposed as two possible paths out of the coupling of engineering, science, and oppression. Only then will science and engineering contribute to reimagining and remaking the world in an equitable fashion never seen before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Do No Harm' or 'conflict-sensitivity' has been mainstreamed into the planning and implementation of development-humanitarian interventions in conflict-affected situations. An umbrella term encompassing a range of frameworks and tools, all approaches involve analysing conflict dynamics in order to minimise negative impacts and maximise support for positive change. Most, however, treat conflict analysis as largely technical, requiring external expertise, and while all espouse participation, it is not inherently embedded in any. This paper explores the practice and ideals of conflict-sensitivity, and promising, more participatory advances in the 'critical peacebuilding'/'local turn' literatures, to argue the case for more genuinely participatory, grassroots conflict analysis to augment existing analysis underpinning the planning and implementation of development-humanitarian agency projects. Concluding that none yet offer tools to facilitate participation of marginalised poor, often functionally non-literate locals, into the actual analysis of conflict, it then presents and reflects upon the trial of a new, highly participatory conflict analysis approach, developed by the authors to complement a specific, highly participatory development programme in Myanmar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this Q&A, the Review talks to Delphine van Solinge and Massimo Marelli of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Van Solinge is the ICRC's focal point for understanding how digital technologies and the spread of harmful information affect populations living in conflict environments, and what this means for humanitarian action. To this end, her portfolio is focused on exploring, on behalf of the ICRC and through partnerships, how to mitigate the risks that digital technologies bring in humanitarian settings and ensure relevant protection responses in the digital age. Marelli is Head of the ICRC's Data Protection Office (DPO). During his tenure with the ICRC, the organization has chartered new pathways for how it can carry out its operational work, while ensuring that the data of the affected people which it serves, as well those of its employees, are well protected. During this conversation, van Solinge and Marelli discuss how their areas of work complement and reinforce each other, forming two halves of the same coin with regard to how digital information and data can both be used for positive change and misused in humanitarian settings. Marelli highlights how humanitarian organizations process, protect and use data and digital information. Van Solinge discusses how through misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, information can be manipulated and spread using digital technologies – particularly in the age of the COVID-19, when populations are more reliant on digital communication technologies. Among the issues they discuss are how digital technologies can be used positively, the ethical considerations that humanitarian organizations should take into account, and the possible paths forward for public–private sector collaborations on this theme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing area of military bio-technologies, especially the use of cogniceuticals, raises several ethical concerns for military physicians. These include the role of military physicians in prescribing amphetamines whose long-term effects are largely unknown, and the possible undermining of the ethic of "do no harm," since amphetamines may diminish a soldier's moral responsibility. Below, we outline some important questions relating to the ethics of amphetamines and medical military physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This Letter to the Editor is in reference to the article by Murphy M, Ellsberg M and Contreras-Urbina M, “Nowhere to go: disclosure and help-seeking behaviors for survivors of violence against women and girls in South Sudan,” published on 12 February 2020. The authors have to be lauded to study this important topic in South Sudan where data are scarce and the problem is less understood. In such a context, actions by various actors to address sexual violence, a major public health concern and a serious international humanitarian law and human rights violation, must be well thought of to avoid causing more harm and compound the suffering of survivors.

This article consists of four parts. In the first part it briefly describes the history of body‐to‐head transplantation (BHT) and the surgical plan proposed by Drs. Sergio Canavero and Ren Xiaoping on a human subject. In the second part it argues that the BHT procedure that they propose is scientifically invalid and technically infeasible so therefore would end in failure. In the third part it argues that the present conceivable procedure of BHT cannot be ethically justified because it would bring great harm to the human subject, it is uncertain who would be the possible beneficiary, and valid informed consent cannot be obtained. In the fourth part it argues that the action of performing the procedure of BHT might violate China's current criminal and civil laws. The conclusion that follows from the arguments above is that BHT should be prohibited now and also in the near future. However, this conclusion does not preclude scientists, neurosurgeons and bioethicists doing research into scientific, technical, surgical and ethical issues raised by BHT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the goals of medicine is to improve well-being, in line with the principle of beneficence (do no harm). Likewise, scientists claim that the goal of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is to find treatments for diseases. In hESC research, stem cells are harvested from a 5-day-old embryo. Surplus embryos from infertility treatments or embryos created for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells are used in the research, and in the process the embryos get destroyed. The use of human embryos for research purpose raises ethical concern. In this context, the religious leaders play the role to be the moral compass and "reality check" to engage with the public. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has outlined the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, reflecting on Islamic principles. Since there has not been much focus on the viewpoints of other faiths in Malaysia, this study attempts to (i) explore the ethical guiding principles deliberated by religious leaders from the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions and (ii) identify if there is a common ground between the mainstream religious views and principles of medical ethics, in relation to hESC research. Eleven religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions were interviewed. Interestingly, though reasoning of religious leaders came from different angles, their underlying concerns revolve around the values of "do no harm" and "intention to save lives". These values are also the key principles in medical ethics. The findings are applied to answer the question as to whether religious and medical guiding principles can co-exist and complement in ethical decision-making, without compromising the values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A primary intention of those working in the caring professions is to make things better, rather than worse, for the people they encounter. Most are motivated by good intentions to help others. This article considers the shadow side of this 'altruism' and the unintended consequences that can sometimes result from the best of intentions. Drawing on works of Literature and Social Work Theory the desire to help, along with the exercise of power, is shown to be a 'dangerous delight' and to have the capacity to 'bring about great ruin'. The concept of the wounded healer has been considered previously. Here, the possibility of would-be healers being wounding is examined. Those who set out to 'help' others are urged to carefully reflect on their motivation so as to increase the likelihood that they will follow an essential first principle of the therapeutic encounter and do no harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescents below the age of majority require parental consent for treatment or else the treating doctor may be liable for trespass and assault. This creates a dilemma for frontline doctors, as involving parents in the discussion could add yet another barrier to the existing barriers for adolescents in terms of access to healthcare services. Aim: This paper seeks to explore doctors' treatment decisions made without parental consent when managing adolescents presenting with sexual and reproductive health issues. Methods: Based on a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews with 25 doctors throughout Malaysia were conducted. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic approach. Results: Generally, doctors weigh any decision by examining the health risks and benefits involved. While fear of litigation influences treatment decisions, a strong adherence to the ethical duty of 'do no harm' outweighs other considerations. When all options are risky, choosing what is considered 'the lesser of two evils,' i.e., what is perceived to be in the best interest of the adolescent, is adopted. Conclusions: The complexity of a medical decision related to adolescent SRH issues is increased further when legal requirements are not in synch with the ethical and personal values of doctors. The laws relating to parental consent should be promulgated with a provision allowing doctors to exercise discretion in terms of treating specific SRH issues without parental consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Internacional de Pensamiento Político is the property of Revista Internacional de Pensamiento Politico - Universidad Pablo de Olavide and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Field primatologists have ethical responsibilities that extend beyond study subjects to the local human communities living near primate populations and their surrounding ecosystems. In this review, we explore the history of ethical discussions within anthropological primatology and examine the best practices for an ethically engaged primatology that should be followed and role-modeled by primatologists. An increasing number of primates are showing reduced population sizes and are in imminent danger of extinction; thus, we need to carefully consider the ethics of intervening to ensure the survival of remaining populations, the impact of anthropogenic factors (e.g., climate change), and whether long-term field research results in conservation outcomes that consider local human communities. Because best practices change over time as theoretical frameworks and methodological tools advance and scientific goals change, field primatologists must continually reflect on what constitutes ethical practice and consider how research influences the overlapping dimensions of fieldwork: primates, people, and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se analiza la acción de restitución de tierras como un instrumento de contribución a la paz y a la equidad social. Se propone que la decisión judicial en este proceso, debe estar orientada por el enfoque ético de la acción sin daño, con el objetivo de determinar la existencia de complejidades políticas, económicas y sociales en los lugares donde surtirá efectos, para adoptar las medidas que sean necesarias y conciliar los intereses de los sujetos procesales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]