Three students were awarded HRC Ethics Summer Studentships in 2023. The purpose of these studentships is to enable a student to train during the summer break with a research team and explore ethical issues that face New Zealand. Click on the study titles below to read summaries of the students' research findings.
Student: Emma Hutchinson
Project title: Equity in palliative care distribution: A pandemic perspective
This report delves into the intersectionality of equity, palliative care, and the COVID-19 pandemic response in New Zealand. Motivated by personal experiences during the pandemic, particularly the loss of a family member receiving palliative care, the author embarked on an investigation to understand the distribution of palliative care before and during the pandemic.
Student: Joey Mackle
Project title: Should genetic testing for gastric cancer risk be restricted by age?
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome that is caused by mutations in CDH1 or CTNNA1 genes. In New Zealand, HDGC disproportionately affects Māori, with three times greater incidence and mortality rates in Māori than non-Māori. The primary aim of this research project was to respond to concerns raised by Māori whānau and academics about their inability to test their children for mutations in CDH1 or CTNNA1 genes by investigating the justification for age restrictions on genetic testing in New Zealand.
Student: Sascha Vesty
Project title: Conscientious objection to providing assisted dying services: A scoping review
The enactment of the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLCA) in Aotearoa New Zealand has encouraged significant discourse and practice shifts in end-of-life care, particularly regarding assisted dying. This research report investigates current literature on conscientious objection within the context of assisted dying, with a particular focus on the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals.
Read the full issue of the latest HRC Ethics Notes here.