Thesis Koen Kramer

On 16 January 2018 (10:00 hrs) researcher Koen Kramer defended his thesis 'How safe should donor blood be?'.

Promotores: Prof HL Zaaijer, MD PhD and prof MF Verweij PhD
Venue: Agnietenkapel, University of Amsterdam

Summary

Blood services apply various safety measures to prevent the transmission of infections through blood transfusion. The costs and number of safety measures in the Netherlands is relatively high compared to other countries. From a utilitarian perspective, these measures consume resources that cold probably be used more beneficially elsewhere in the healthcare system. Koen Kramer explores the ethical arguments for applying safety measures despite their inefficiency.

Chapters

Chapter 1
General Introduction

Part I: Qualitative empirical research

Chapter 2
An inventory of concerns behind blood safety policies in five western countries. Abstract

Chapter 3
Arguments for tolerance or intolerance towards risks of blood transfusion: views of stakeholders in the Dutch blood supply

Part II: Ethical analysis

Chapter 4
Donor blood screening and moral responsibility: how safe should blood be? Abstract

Chapter 5
The precautionary principle and the tolerability of blood transfusion risks. Abstract

Chapter 6
Interpreting and Applying the Precautionary Principle. Abstract

Chapter 7
Are there ethical differences between stopping and not starting blood safety measures? Asbtract

Part III: Wrapping up

Chapter 8
Summary

Chapter 9
Samenvatting

Chapter 10
General Discussion