Ethical and deontological issues in Transfusion Medicine

Since the second half of the 1980s, Transfusion Medicine has gradually taken on an increasing autonomous place in the world of medical specialties, continuing its evolution from its initial, mainly immunohaematological role, towards new diagnostic, clinical-therapeutic and research activities. Currently, in addition to direct care activities for patients and support of specific highly specialised care processes, Transfusion Medicine ranges from the collection and banking of haematopoietic stem cells to the banking of tissues and cell therapy. The aim of this review is to focus on the ethical and deontological issues of the macro-processes of the transfusion chain, extending the considerations to the most recent, innovate area of development of Transfusion Medicine, biobanking, and outlining possible additional areas of practical ethical reflection related to it, such as health technology assessment and the organisational ethics of services.