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Public Health Law Map - Beta 5 - Medical and Public Health Law Site

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One example has been the development of placental analysis. Historically physicians<br />

have either discarded placentas or sold them to drug companies. Only recently have<br />

obstetricians realized that the placenta is an invaluable research tool <strong>and</strong> forensic<br />

pathology specimen. Placental research is documenting chronic placental<br />

insufficiency diseases that may account for 50% of what have traditionally been<br />

termed birth injuries. Placental pathology studies showing placental insufficiency<br />

have been used to defend physicians from charges of negligently injuring a child at<br />

birth.<br />

In cases of suspected birth injury, the entire placenta <strong>and</strong> umbilical cord should be<br />

weighed <strong>and</strong> appropriately preserved. The placenta may be stored until it is<br />

determined that the baby does not have any residual damage. If the baby is injured,<br />

the placenta should be examined by a pathologist who is skilled in placental<br />

pathology. This is not a routine skill <strong>and</strong> must be specifically sought out. If an<br />

unskilled pathologist records that the placenta looks normal, this opinion will only<br />

bolster the plaintiff’s case. Since these examinations are expensive <strong>and</strong> usually<br />

cannot be billed to the patient, physicians <strong>and</strong> their malpractice insurance companies<br />

must cooperate to pay for the pathologist’s services.<br />

K. References - Obstetrics<br />

1. Fertility Treatment<br />

Ahuja KK, Mamiso J, Emmerson G, Bowen-Simpkins P, Seaton A, Simons EG.<br />

Pregnancy following intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment with dead husb<strong>and</strong>’s<br />

spermatozoa: ethical <strong>and</strong> policy considerations. Hum Reprod. 1997;12:1360–1363.<br />

Annas GJ. The shadowl<strong>and</strong>s—secrets, lies, <strong>and</strong> assisted reproduction. N Engl J Med.<br />

1998;339:935–939.<br />

Appleton T. Ethical issues in assisted reproductive medicine: a pragmatic approach.<br />

Br J Urol. 1995;76(suppl 2):85–92.<br />

Baird P. Proceed with care: new reproductive technologies <strong>and</strong> the need for<br />

boundaries. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1995;12:491–498.<br />

Baird PA. Ethical issues of fertility <strong>and</strong> reproduction. Annu Rev Med. 1996;47:107–<br />

116.<br />

Benshushan A, Schenker JG. The right to an heir in the era of assisted reproduction.<br />

Hum Reprod. 1998;13:1407–1410.<br />

Brahams D. Ethics <strong>and</strong> the law: the law <strong>and</strong> assisted human conception. Br Med Bull.<br />

1990;46:850–859.<br />

Braverman AM, English ME. Creating brave new families with advanced<br />

reproductive technologies. NAACOGS Clin Issu Perinat Womens <strong>Health</strong> Nurs.<br />

1992;3:353–363.<br />

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