CINXE.COM

Authors | JME

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head><meta charSet="utf-8"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"/><title>Authors | JME</title><meta property="robots" content="index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1"/><link rel="canonical" href="/pages/authors" /><meta property="og:locale" content="en_GB"/><meta property="og:type" content="article"/><meta property="og:title" content="Authors | JME"/><meta property="og:description" content="Editorial policies and instructions for authors looking to publish their work in the Journal of Medical Ethics."/><meta name="description" content="Editorial policies and instructions for authors looking to publish their work in the Journal of Medical Ethics."/><meta property="og:url" content="https://jme.bmj.com/pages/authors"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="JME"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://jme.bmj.com/jme/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/04/BMJ_logo_400x400.jpeg"/><meta property="og:image:width" content="298"/><meta property="og:image:height" content="298"/><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://jme.bmj.com/jme/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/04/BMJ_logo_400x400.jpeg"/><meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-10-01T10:46:05+00:00"/><meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="next-head-count" content="18"/><link rel="shortcut icon" href="/next-resources/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /><link rel="preload" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" as="script" /><link rel="preconnect dns-prefetch" href="https://analytics.bmj.com" /><link rel="preconnect dns-prefetch" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" /><link rel="preconnect dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn-eu.pagesense.io" /><link rel="preconnect dns-prefetch" href="https://popup.wisepops.com" /><link rel="preconnect dns-prefetch" href="https://www.medtargetsystem.com" /><link rel="preload" href="https://cookie-cdn.cookiepro.com/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" as="script" /><script async="" src="https://cookie-cdn.cookiepro.com/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charSet="UTF-8" data-domain-script="565e50dd-f6e9-46d6-91cd-5c40a270264f" id="cookie-pro-script"></script><script id="otb-ads-consent">function OnetrustAdsConsent() { if (window.googletag && window.googletag.apiReady) { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); googletag.pubads().setPrivacySettings({nonPersonalizedAds:!!OptanonActiveGroups.match(/,4,/)}); googletag.pubads().refresh(); } else { setTimeout(OnetrustAdsConsent, 1000); } } function OptanonWrapper() { OnetrustAdsConsent(); }</script><link data-next-font="" rel="preconnect" href="/" crossorigin="anonymous" /><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/08026a7f192955bf.css" as="style" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/08026a7f192955bf.css" data-n-g="" /><noscript data-n-css=""></noscript><script defer="" nomodule="" src="/_next/static/chunks/polyfills-78c92fac7aa8fdd8.js"></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/webpack-8fa1640cc84ba8fe.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/framework-6dd3bf7463386647.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/main-cc6301d6663ac863.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/_app-201fc1cd2c79bff6.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/pages/authors-9d2a74bb0a4aec22.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/fNDGNM5UN6L6tWgoPLDC2/_buildManifest.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/fNDGNM5UN6L6tWgoPLDC2/_ssgManifest.js" defer=""></script><script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function parseCookies() { let cookieHeader = document.cookie || ""; let cookies = Object.fromEntries( cookieHeader.split("; ").map((c) => c.split("=")) ); for (let key in cookies) { if (cookies[key] === "undefined") { cookies[key] = undefined; } } return cookies; } function uuidv4() { var d = new Date().getTime(); //Timestamp var d2 = (typeof performance !== "undefined" && performance.now && performance.now() * 1000) || 0; //Time in microseconds since page-load or 0 if unsupported return "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx".replace(/[xy]/g, function (c) { var r = Math.random() * 16; //random number between 0 and 16 if (d > 0) { //Use timestamp until depleted r = (d + r) % 16 | 0; d = Math.floor(d / 16); } else { //Use microseconds since page-load if supported r = (d2 + r) % 16 | 0; d2 = Math.floor(d2 / 16); } return (c === "x" ? r : (r & 0x3) | 0x8).toString(16); }); } function handleCookie() { let cookies = parseCookies(); let bmj_uuid = cookies.bmj_uuid; if (!bmj_uuid) { bmj_uuid = uuidv4(); cookies.bmj_uuid = bmj_uuid; } return { bmj_uuid }; } let { bmj_uuid } = handleCookie(); let bmj_ppid = parseCookies().bmj_ppid; const anonMailId = "e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855"; let nonAnonMailId = window.dataLayer.find((item) => item.user)?.user?.mail === anonMailId ? null : window.dataLayer.find((item) => item.user)?.user?.mail; let userId = dataLayer.find((item) => item.user)?.user?.["data-ics"] ?? (dataLayer.find((item) => item.user)?.user?.mail && nonAnonMailId) ?? bmj_ppid ?? bmj_uuid; document.cookie = "bmj_ppid=" + userId + "; domain=.bmj.com; path=/; max-age=31622400; SameSite=None; Secure"; document.cookie = "bmj_uuid=" + bmj_uuid + "; domain=.bmj.com; path=/; max-age=31622400; SameSite=None; Secure"; var googletag = googletag || { cmd: [] }; googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.pubads().setPublisherProvidedId(userId); googletag.enableServices(); }); window.dataLayer.push({ bmj_uuid: bmj_uuid, }); </script> </head><body><div id="__next"><div class="overflow-hidden"><div class="border-b-bmj-silver-100 border-b bg-bmj-siver-30 flex items-center justify-center py-3 min-w-[auto] min-h-[100px] md:min-h-[250px]"><div id="div-gpt-ad-3321227-1" data-testid="top-ad-slot" class="flex items-center justify-center w-[auto] h-[100px] md:h-[250px]"></div></div><header class="mt-2 mb-2 hidden flex-wrap items-center justify-between px-4 md:flex md:flex-nowrap" data-testid="header-panel"><a href="https://journals.bmj.com" class="p-0 flex items-center"><img data-testid="bmj-journals-logo" alt="BMJ Journals logo" loading="lazy" width="154" height="42" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" src="/_next/static/media/logo-bmj-journals.c2a2899be06382c530c7bc1e5d61e633.svg" /></a><nav class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between md:flex-nowrap"><a href="/pages/subscribe/" data-testid="subscribe" class="bg-bmj-primary-brand p-2.5 text-white md:hidden lg:block py-1.2rem mr-2 px-2 font-bold leading-normal decoration-0">Subscribe</a><a href="/user" data-testid="login" class="text-bmj-silver-800 hover:bg-bmj-silver-10 py-[1.3rem] md:hidden lg:block py-1.2rem mr-2 px-2 font-bold leading-normal decoration-0">Login</a><div data-testid="search-box" class="flex w-72 flex-col bg-white/20 p-2 pr-4 md:w-[343px] md:flex-row md:items-start md:p-0 md:pr-0 undefined"><form role="search" method="post" action="/search" class="flex undefined"><input type="textbox" placeholder="search" name="keywords" title="Search for:" class="border-bmj-silver-100 rounded-0 h-[34px] w-[207px] appearance-none border p-[5px] pl-[10px] align-middle text-[14px] undefined"/><button type="submit" name="op" class="bg-bmj-siver-30 border-bmj-silver-100 rounded-0 ml-[-4px] h-[34px] appearance-none border py-[1px] pl-[10px] pr-[12px] text-[13.33px] undefined">Search</button><input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="highwire_search_quicksearch_form_1"/></form><div class="flex justify-start pl-[5px] pt-[3px] text-left md:justify-end undefined"><a href="/search" title="Advanced Search" class="decoration-none lg:text-bmj-blue-500 mt-2 flex flex-row text-[12.75px] leading-[normal] md:mt-0 md:flex-col [&amp;&gt;:first-of-type]:mr-1 undefined"><span>Advanced</span><span>search</span></a></div></div></nav></header><div data-testid="page-with-menu" class=" transition-margin-left relative m-0 mx-auto min-h-[512px] w-full min-w-0 duration-300 [&amp;.panel-enter-active]:ml-[-15.625rem] [&amp;.panel-enter-done]:ml-[-15.625rem] [&amp;.panel-enter]:ml-0 [&amp;.panel-exit-active]:ml-0 [&amp;.panel-exit-done]:ml-0 [&amp;.panel-exit]:ml-[-15.625rem]"><div class=""><div data-testid="top-menu-container" role="presentation" class="bg-bmj-primary-brand m-0 mx-auto h-[3.5625rem] w-full min-w-0 md:h-[4.375rem]"><nav role="navigation" class="relative m-0 mx-auto flex h-full w-full min-w-0 justify-between pl-4 pr-0"><div class="w-1/2 md:w-1/5 bg-bmj-primary-brand m-0 flex min-w-0 items-center"><a href="/" class="flex h-full w-full items-center"><img data-testid="top-menu-logo" src="/next-resources/logo.svg" alt="logo" class="h-auto w-full" /></a></div><div class=" bg-bmj-primary-brand m-0 flex min-w-0 items-center"><div class="hidden h-full lg:flex"><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/content/early/recent" data-testid="240">Latest content</a><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/content/current" data-testid="241">Current issue</a><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/content/by/year" data-testid="308">Archive</a><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/pages/authors/" data-testid="243">Authors</a><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/pages/about/" data-testid="244">About</a><a class="decoration-none text-4.25 rounded-0 text-bmj-white [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-bmj-white/20 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-0 bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-none [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4 [&amp;.is-active]:bg-white/20" href="/pages/jme-commentaries" data-testid="360">JME Commentaries</a></div><div class="flex h-full lg:hidden"><button class=" md:hidden decoration-none text-background rounded-0 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-none bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 text-[4.25] [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-0 [&amp;:hover]:bg-transparent [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-white/20 [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4"><img src="/next-resources/search.svg" alt="Search" width="36" height="36" /></button><button class=" decoration-none text-background rounded-0 flex h-full cursor-pointer items-center whitespace-nowrap border-none bg-transparent px-2 py-4 font-sans leading-5 text-[4.25] [&amp;:focus-visible]:outline-0 [&amp;:hover]:bg-transparent [&amp;:hover]:md:bg-white/20 [&amp;:last-child]:pr-4"><img src="/next-resources/hamburger-menu.svg" alt="Menu" width="36" height="36" /></button></div></div></nav></div><div class="mb-[36px] flex justify-between px-4 pt-2"><div><div data-testid="breadcrumbs"><span class="text-bmj-silver-600 text-sm font-normal not-italic leading-4" data-testid="ancestor-wrapper"><a class="decoration-none text-bmj-blue-500 text-sm font-normal [&amp;:hover]:underline" data-testid="home" href="/">Home</a><span class="m-2">/</span></span><span class="text-bmj-silver-600 text-sm font-normal not-italic leading-4" data-testid="authors">Authors</span></div></div><a href="https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/signup.html?regService=etoc-alerts&amp;corpusCode=medethics&amp;fwdUrl=https://jme.bmj.com/" class="decoration-none text-bmj-blue-500 [&amp;:hover]:text-bmj-primary-brand hidden md:inline-block"><div class="flex"><div class="mr-2 flex"><svg class="text-bmj-primary-brand h-4 w-8" data-testid="envelope-icon" viewBox="0 0 33 22" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1 1H32V21H1V1Z" fill="white" stroke="currentColor"></path><path d="M31.9 20.8L21 9" stroke="currentColor"></path><path d="M1 20.5L11.8 9" stroke="currentColor"></path><mask id="path-4-inside-1" fill="white"><path d="M0.600098 0.700012L16.6001 13.4L32.4001 0.900012"></path></mask><path d="M16.6001 13.4L15.9784 14.1833L16.5991 14.6759L17.2205 14.1843L16.6001 13.4ZM-0.0216079 1.48326L15.9784 14.1833L17.2218 12.6168L1.2218 -0.0832389L-0.0216079 1.48326ZM17.2205 14.1843L33.0205 1.68426L31.7797 0.115765L15.9796 12.6158L17.2205 14.1843Z" fill="currentColor" mask="url(#path-4-inside-1)"></path></svg></div><span class="text-base leading-4" data-testid="email-alerts-link">Email alerts</span></div></a></div><main><div><section class="whitespace-pre-wrap pb-12 [&amp;_p]:mb-4"><div class="authors"><div class="m-0 mx-auto w-full min-w-0 max-w-[77rem] px-4"><h1 data-testid="sections-page-title" class="mb-5">Authors</h1><div class="border-t-bmj-silver-100 bg-bmj-silver-10 mt-5 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 overflow-hidden border-t-[0.1px] border-solid px-[0.9375rem] [&amp;&gt;div]:float-left" data-testid="ifora-container"><div class="m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0" data-testid="ifora-index-panel"><div class="float-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 px-0 md:float-left md:w-[25%] md:px-[0.938rem]" data-testid="index-articles"><div class="mt-10 text-lg font-normal">Articles</div><ul class="!ml-0 !mt-2.5"><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#submission_guidelines">Submission guidelines</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#article_processing_charges">Article processing charges</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#waivers_and_discounts">Waivers and Discounts</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#preprints">Preprints</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#supplements">Supplements</a></li></ul></div><div class="float-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 px-0 md:float-left md:w-[25%] md:px-[0.938rem]" data-testid="index-authors"><div class="mt-10 text-lg font-normal">Authors</div><ul class="!ml-0 !mt-2.5"><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#copyright_and_authors_rights">Copyright and authors’ rights</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#article_transfer_service">Article transfer service</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#conflicts_of_interest">Conflicts of interest</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#rapid_responses">Rapid responses</a></li></ul></div><div class="float-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 px-0 md:float-left md:w-[25%] md:px-[0.938rem]" data-testid="index-journal-policy"><div class="mt-10 text-lg font-normal">Journal Policy</div><ul class="!ml-0 !mt-2.5"><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#editorial_policy">Editorial policy</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#plan_s_compliance">Plan S compliance</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#peer_review">Peer review</a></li><li class="mb-2.5 list-none leading-[1.7rem]"><a href="/pages/authors/#Data_Sharing">Data Sharing</a></li></ul></div></div><hr class="bg-bmj-silver-100 clear-both mx-0 block h-[0.0625rem] border-0 md:mx-[0.9375rem]"/><div class="items-[initial] my-0 mx-0 w-full min-w-0 pb-4 pt-4 md:mx-4 md:flex md:items-center" data-testid="ifora-metrics-panel"><div class="float-none w-full md:float-left md:w-[25%]"><a href="https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/medethics?_gl=1*14ffp9z*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA2OTEzNC4xMDkuMS4xNjUxMDcyMTQ4LjYw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."><button class="bg-bmj-primary-brand w-full cursor-pointer rounded-sm border-0 py-3 px-4 text-lg leading-6 text-white md:w-auto">Submit manuscript</button></a></div><div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row"><div class="text-bmj-silver-800 flex flex-col justify-between pt-5 pr-0 md:pt-0 md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:mr-1 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:text-base [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:text-base flex-wrap pb-0 md:flex-nowrap [&amp;]:md:flex-col [&amp;]:md:justify-between [&amp;]:flex-row [&amp;]:justify-start [&amp;]:pl-0 [&amp;]:md:pl-4" data-testid="190"><div>Time to first decision with review<!-- -->:</div><div>56 days (median)</div></div><div class="text-bmj-silver-800 flex flex-col justify-between pt-5 pr-0 md:pt-0 md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:mr-1 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:text-base [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:text-base flex-wrap pb-0 md:flex-nowrap [&amp;]:md:flex-col [&amp;]:md:justify-between [&amp;]:flex-row [&amp;]:justify-start [&amp;]:pl-0 [&amp;]:md:pl-4" data-testid="191"><div>Total content views<!-- -->:</div><div>1.21 million</div></div><div class="text-bmj-silver-800 flex flex-col justify-between pt-5 pr-0 md:pt-0 md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:mr-1 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:text-base [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:text-base flex-wrap pb-0 md:flex-nowrap [&amp;]:md:flex-col [&amp;]:md:justify-between [&amp;]:flex-row [&amp;]:justify-start [&amp;]:pl-0 [&amp;]:md:pl-4" data-testid="192"><div>Impact factor<!-- -->:</div><div>3.3</div></div></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-transparent" data-testid="sections-container-0"><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> is a leading international journal that reflects the whole field of medical ethics. The journal seeks to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice. It features articles on various ethical aspects of health care relevant to health care professionals, members of clinical ethics committees, medical ethics professionals, researchers and bioscientists, policy makers and patients.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-1"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="editorial_policy" name="editorial_policy"></a>Editorial policy</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> adheres to the highest standards concerning its editorial policies on publication ethics, scientific misconduct, consent and peer review criteria. To view all BMJ Journal policies please refer to the <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/policies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BMJ Author Hub policies</a> page. More information on <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/policies/copyright-and-authors-rights/">copyright and authors’ rights</a>.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-2"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="plan_s_compliance" name="plan_s_compliance"></a>Plan S compliance</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> is a Plan S compliant Transformative Journal. Transformative Journals are one of the compliance routes offered by cOAlition S funders, such as Wellcome, WHO and UKRI. Find out more about <a href="https://www.bmj.com/company/openaccess-transformative-journals/">Transformative Journals</a> and <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/open-access/plan-s/">Plan S compliance</a> on our Author Hub.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-3"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="copyright_and_authors_rights" name="copyright_and_authors_rights"></a>Copyright and authors’ rights</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Articles are published under an exclusive licence or non-exclusive licence for UK Crown employees or where BMJ has agreed CC BY applies. For US Federal Government officers or employees acting as part of their official duties, the terms are as stated in accordance with our licence terms. Authors or their employers retain copyright. Open access articles can be reused under the terms of the relevant Creative Commons licence to facilitate reuse of the content; please refer to the <i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> <a href="https://s16086.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BMJ_Journals_Combined_Author_Licence_2018.pdf">Author Licence</a> for the applicable Creative Commons licences.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">When publishing in <em>Journal of Medical Ethics</em>, authors choose between three licence types – exclusive licence granted to BMJ, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC-BY-NC</a> and <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY</a> (Creative Commons open access licences require payment of an <a href="#article_processing_charges">article processing charge</a>). As an author you may wish to post your article in an institutional or subject repository, or on a scientific social sharing network. You may also link your published article to your preprint (if applicable). What you can do with your article, without seeking permission, depends on the licence you have chosen and the version of your article. Please refer to the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/author-self-archiving-and-permissions/">BMJ author self archiving and permissions policies page</a> for more information.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-4"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="preprints" name="preprints"></a>Preprints</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Preprints foster openness, accessibility and collaboration by allowing authors to make their findings immediately available to the research community and receive feedback on an article before it is submitted to a journal for formal publication. BMJ fully supports and encourages the archiving of preprints in any recognised, not-for-profit server such as <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/">medRxiv</a>. BMJ does not consider the posting of an article in a dedicated preprint repository to be prior publication.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Preprints are reports of work that have not been peer-reviewed; Preprints should therefore not be used to guide clinical practice, health-related behaviour or health policy. For more information, please refer to our <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/policies/preprints/">Preprint policy page</a>.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-5"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="article_transfer_service" name="article_transfer_service"></a>Article transfer service</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">BMJ is committed to ensuring that all good quality research is published. Our <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/bmj-transfer-service/">article transfer service</a> helps authors find the best journal for their research while providing an easy and smooth publication process. If authors agree to transfer their manuscript, all versions, supplementary files and peer reviewer comments are automatically transferred; there is no need to resubmit or reformat. Authors who submit to the <i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> and are rejected will be offered the option of transferring to another <a href="https://journals.bmj.com/">BMJ Journal</a>, such as <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/"><i>BMJ Open</i></a>.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Please note that the article transfer service does not guarantee acceptance but you should receive a quicker initial decision on your manuscript. Contact the Transfer Editor at transfers@bmj.com</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-6"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="peer_review" name="peer_review"></a>Peer review</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> operates double anonymised peer review whereby the names of both the reviewer and the author are anonymous to each other. All submissions are reviewed by at least one reviewer. If there is uncertainty about acceptance after review, papers are reviewed by the editors. For more information on the peer review process, please consult the <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/peer-review-process/">BMJ Author Hub – the peer review process</a>. <strong>Anonymised manuscript</strong> This should be free from: <ul> <li>Any author names, institution or contact details</li> <li>Acknowledgements</li> <li>Declarations of interest</li> </ul> This may include: <ul> <li>Statements of ethical approval with all references to your institution replaced with "[redacted for peer review]"; e.g. “This research was approved by the University of North Carolina Institutional Review Board” becomes “This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of [redacted for peer review].” This statement should appear in the methods section of your manuscript.</li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-7"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="conflicts_of_interest" name="conflicts_of_interest"></a>Conflicts of interest</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Authors are asked to declare any competing interests on submission to the journal. Associate editors are also asked to declare any potential conflict of interest when handling a paper, such as authorship by an author in the same institution or other relationships where there may be an appearance of a conflict of interest. These papers are handled by Professor Kenneth Boyd, Conflict of Interest editor for the journal, who may seek advice from other members of the editorial committee as appropriate. In these cases, the Conflict of Interest Editor may seek advice from a sub-committee of Associate Editors who are not affiliated to the authors. Other parts of the editorial process, which do not involve decisions about publishing the paper are not affected.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-8"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="article_processing_charges" name="article_processing_charges"></a>Article processing charges</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">During submission, authors can choose to have their article published open access for 3,410 GBP (exclusive of VAT for UK and EU authors). Publishing open access has multiple benefits including wider reach, faster impact and increased citation and usage. There are no charges for submission, page or colour figures.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-9"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="waivers_and_discounts" name="waivers_and_discounts"></a>Waivers and discounts</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">If authors choose to publish their article open access, an APC waiver may be available. Before applying for an APC waiver please consider: <strong>(1) Does your institution have an open access agreement with BMJ? </strong> If it does, then this may cover all or part of the APC for your article. Check BMJ’s open access agreements page to find out whether your institution is a member and what discounts you may be entitled to. <strong>(2) Have you received funding from a funder with an open access mandate or policy that covers paying APCs? </strong> If so, BMJ expects that the APC will be paid in full.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">If neither (1) nor (2) above apply then consider <strong>(3) Are all the authors of your article based in low-income countries*? </strong>If so, you are eligible to apply for a full or partial waiver from BMJ. Visit our <a href="//authors.bmj.com/open-access/fees-discounts/)">author hub</a> to learn more about our waivers policy and how to request one. Please note that regardless of the funding situation, authors can still choose to publish with us at no cost, and articles will be made available to our subscribers. *This list is reviewed annually and is based upon HINARI Core Offer Groups A and B, and the World Bank Country and Lending Groups.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-10"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="Data_Sharing" name="Data_Sharing"></a>Data Sharing</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics </i>adheres to BMJ's Tier 2 data policy. We strongly encourage that data generated by your research that supports your article be made available as soon as possible, wherever legally and ethically possible. We also require data from clinical trials to be made available upon reasonable request. To adhere to ICMJE guidelines, we require that a data sharing plan must be included with trial registration for clinical trials that begin enrolling participants on or after 1st January 2019. Changes to the plan must be noted in the Data Availability Statement and updated in the registry record. All research articles must contain a Data Availability Statement. For more information and FAQs, please see BMJ's full Data Sharing Policy page.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-11"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="rapid_responses" name="rapid_responses"></a>Rapid responses</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">A rapid response is a moderated but not peer reviewed online response to a published article in <i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i>; it will not receive a DOI and will not be indexed. Find out more about responses and how to <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/rapid-responses/"><u>submit a response.</u></a></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-12"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="submission_guidelines" name="submission_guidelines"></a>Submission guidelines</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Please review the below article type specifications including the required article lengths, illustrations, table limits and reference counts. The word count excludes the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements, contributions and references. Manuscripts should be as succinct as possible. For further support when making your submission please refer to the resources available on the <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BMJ Author Hub</a>. Here you will find information on <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/writing-and-formatting/formatting-your-paper/">writing and formatting</a> your research through to the <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/peer-review-process/">peer review process</a> and <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/promote-your-paper/">promoting your paper</a>. You may also wish to use the <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/before-you-submit/language-editing-services/">language editing and translation</a> services provided by <a href="https://authorservices.bmj.com/?utm_source=BMJ-jme&amp;utm_medium=Referral">BMJ Author Services</a>. For guidance on how writing informative titles, please view <a href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2014/02/05/academics-choose-useless-titles/">this blog post</a> from the London School of Economics and Political Science.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> does accept footnotes at the end of each page which should be denoted in superscript Roman numerals. There should be no more than around 30 words per footnote. <a href="#editorial">Editorial</a> <a href="#commentary">Commentary</a> <a href="#words">Words</a> <a href="#original_research">Original research</a> <a href="#extended_essay">Original research - extended essays</a> <a href="#feature_article">Feature article</a> <a href="#short_report">Short report</a> <a href="#clinical_ethics">Clinical ethics roundtable</a> <a href="#response">Response</a> <a href="#ethics_abstract">Ethics abstract</a> <a href="#student_essay">Student essay</a> <a href="#current_controversy">Current controversy</a> <a href="#author_meets_critics">Author meets critics</a> <a href="#ethics_briefing">Ethics briefing</a></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-13"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="editorial" name="editorial"></a>Editorial</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Editorials are commissioned only articles. “Guest Editorials” are invited by the editors and they address important and current ethical issues. The positions they present are not necessarily those of the editorial team.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-14"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="commentary" name="commentary"></a>Commentary</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Commentaries are commissioned only articles.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count</strong>: up to 1,000 <strong>Abstract</strong>: Not required <strong>Tables/illustrations:</strong> up to 2 <strong>References:</strong> up to 5</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-15"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="words" name="words"></a>Words</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">“Words” columns explain an ethical concept or word that is useful and should be more widely understood. They will explain a clinically relevant ethical concept that would benefit from being explained and is preferably from a non-western ethical tradition. They are commissioned and not peer reviewed, authors should contact the journal’s Editor in Chief in the first instance.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count</strong>: up to 1,000 <strong>References:</strong> up to 5</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-16"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="original_research" name="original_research"></a>Original research</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Original research includes both philosophical papers and empirical studies. Please note that papers that do not present empirical research do not need to upload a research checklist and should state 'not applicable' where applicable upon submission.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 3,500 <strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 <strong>Tables/Illustrations:</strong> up to 5</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-17"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="extended_essay" name="extended_essay"></a>Original research - extended essay</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Original research - extended essays employ in-depth philosophical analysis in order to address an important policy- or practice-related normative question. Predominantly empirical papers will not be considered in this category. Note that because of space considerations, the acceptance rate for extended essays is very low. We would recommend to authors (to maximise their chance of successful submission) that they submit their work as a standard length article unless there is a clear and compelling justification for the higher word count.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 7,000 <strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 words <strong>Tables/Illustrations:</strong> up to 5 <strong>References:</strong> up to 50</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-18"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="feature_article" name="feature_article"></a>Feature article</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Feature articles are selected from the best Extended Essays accepted for publication in the journal. Feature Articles will be selected on the basis that they express authoritative, novel and perhaps even provocative arguments. They might also discuss important new advances which have implications for both research, clinical practice or society at large. While authors need not be systematic in their approach to the literature, they should aim to develop a theme, with clear, logical argumentation, with some vision of the future or practical import for medical ethics, broadly construed.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong style="color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);">Word count:</strong><span style="background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);"> up to 7,000 </span><strong>Abstract: </strong>up to 250 words, unstructured<strong> </strong><strong>References:</strong> up to 30 We will generally run several 1,000 word commentaries around the Feature article. You will have the right to write a short response to commentators of less than 500 words.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-19"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="short_report" name="short_report"></a>Short report</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Short reports include summarised Original research arguments or results of empirical studies that can be stated succinctly.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 1,500 <strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 <strong>Tables/Illustrations:</strong> up to 2 <strong>References:</strong> up to 25</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-20"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="clinical_ethics" name="clinical_ethics"></a>Clinical ethics roundtable</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">While roundtables are commissioned only, those interested in proposing one when they address issues that are significant and relevant to health care professionals should write to the Editor in Chief.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Clinical ethics roundtables should include the following: <ul> <li>Description of the situation or issue of between 400-800 words.</li> <li>At least three commentaries of up to 1,000 words from a range of perspectives. Ordinarily, at least one commentary will present a patient perspective.</li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-21"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="response" name="response"></a>Response</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Response articles are responses to articles previously published in the <i>Journal of Medical Ethics. </i>They may be peer-reviewed at the editors' discretion, peer-reviewed responses will be reviewed on a fast track for timely publication. This may include responses from authors who have been criticised in the Journal.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong style="color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);">Word count:</strong><span style="background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);"> </span><span style="background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);">1,500 words </span><strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 <strong>Illustrations:</strong> at editorial discretion <strong>References:</strong> up to 10</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-22"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="ethics_abstract" name="ethics_abstract"></a>Ethics abstract</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Ethics abstracts are commissioned only articles offered to authors following submissions where the topic or findings are considered to be of some interest to <i>Journal of Medical Ethics</i> readership but not at the level of a peer-reviewed article.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 500 <strong>Tables/illustrations:</strong> up to 1 <strong>References:</strong> up to 3</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-23"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="student_essay" name="student_essay"></a>Student essay</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Student Essays aim to encourage medical and other related students to consider ethical issues. To qualify as a student essay, all the authors must be current students at the time of submission, usually on a medical or undergraduate course rather than at doctoral or other postgraduate level; information about your current course of study should be included in your cover letter.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 3,500 <strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 <strong>Tables/Illustrations:</strong> up to 5 <strong>References:</strong> up to 25</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-24"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="current_controversy" name="current_controversy"></a>Current controversy</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">This article should cover some current news item, legal case or recent advance of ethical significance, together with identification and some analysis of ethical issues involved. Articles in this category undergo peer review, though where they discuss urgent issues the review process may be fast-tracked to ensure early publication. Authors should consider submitting a <a href="https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">forum post</a> on the issue that they plan on writing about before submitting a current controversy. This will mean that they can draw attention to an issue in the forum post while it is ‘news’ and then publish a more in depth ethical analysis of it as a current controversy. For more information on how to write for the forum, please see the instructions <a href="https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/submissions/">here</a>.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0"><strong>Word count:</strong> up to 3500 words <strong>Abstract:</strong> up to 250 words <strong>Tables/Illustrations:</strong> up to 5, any more at editorial discretion <strong>References:</strong> up to 25</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-25"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="author_meets_critics" name="author_meets_critics"></a>Author meets critics</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">The author meets critics commissioned only series consists of a summary of a new book (monograph) in medical ethics by the author, plus responses from 2 to 3 critics, each of no more than 1,000 words and an author response.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-26"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="ethics_briefing" name="ethics_briefing"></a>Ethics briefing</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">Ethics briefings are supplied by the medical ethics team at the BMA only.</div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-27"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><a id="supplements" name="supplements"></a>Supplements</h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[50.00%] [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(2)]:md:w-[50.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of: <ul> <li>The journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.</li> <li>The journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.</li> <li>BMJ itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.</li> <li>A sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.</li> </ul> In all cases, it is vital that the journal's integrity, independence and academic reputation is not compromised in any way.</div><div data-testid="sections-column-1" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the <a href="/jme/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Supplement_Guidelines-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">supplements guidelines</a>. When contacting us regarding a potential supplement, please include as much of the information below as possible. <ul> <li>Journal in which you would like the supplement published</li> <li>Title of supplement and/or meeting on which it is based</li> <li>Date of meeting on which it is based</li> <li>Proposed table of contents with provisional article titles and proposed authors</li> <li>An indication of whether authors have agreed to participate</li> <li>Sponsor information including any relevant deadlines</li> <li>An indication of the expected length of each paper Guest Editor proposals if appropriate</li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="border-t-[1px] border-solid border-bmj-silver-100 mt-4" data-testid="sections-container-28"><h2 data-testid="sections-section-title" class="relative mb-0 [&amp;&gt;a]:absolute [&amp;&gt;a]:mt-[-20px]"><em>Confidentiality</em></h2><div class=" text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre-wrap font-normal leading-[1.625rem] mt-0 flex flex-col md:mt-4 md:flex-row [&amp;&gt;div:last-of-type]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:mt-6 [&amp;&gt;div]:pr-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;div]:md:pr-4 [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:w-full [&amp;&gt;div:nth-of-type(1)]:md:w-[100.00%] " data-testid="sections-subsection-content-container-0"><div data-testid="sections-column-0" class="inline md:inline [&amp;_h2]:mt-0">The Journal of Medical Ethics is committed to the importance of respecting confidentiality and it follows <a href="https://authors.bmj.com/policies/patient-consent-and-confidentiality/">BMJ's guidelines</a>.</div></div></div></div></div></section></div></main></div></div><footer><div class="border-bmj-silver-100 border-t-solid m-0 ml-auto mr-auto flex w-full min-w-0 flex-wrap gap-4 border border-b-0 border-l-0 border-r-0 pl-4 pr-4"><a class="my-4" href="" data-testid="association-logo-1-link" aria-label="IME"><img data-testid="association-logo-1" title="IME" alt="" loading="lazy" width="169" height="103" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjme.bmj.com%2Fjme%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F9%2F2022%2F05%2Fsociety-logo-ime.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 1x, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjme.bmj.com%2Fjme%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F9%2F2022%2F05%2Fsociety-logo-ime.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 2x" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjme.bmj.com%2Fjme%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F9%2F2022%2F05%2Fsociety-logo-ime.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75" /></a></div><div class="bg-bmj-primary-brand text-bmj-white m-0 mx-auto flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col px-4 md:flex-row"><div data-testid="footer-content" class="md:border-b-none [&amp;:last-child]:border-b-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 border-b-[1px] border-b-white/50 pr-6 pt-5 pb-4 md:pt-8 md:pb-8"><span class="mt-0 mb-5 block text-base font-normal uppercase leading-4">CONTENT</span><ul class="ml-0 mb-4 pl-0"><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/content/early/recent">Latest content</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/content/current">Current issue</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/content/by/year">Archive</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/browse-by-collection/">Browse by collection</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/most-read-articles/">Most read articles</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/top-cited-articles/">Top cited articles</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/eletters">Responses</a></li></ul><div class="flex"><a href="/pages/rss-feeds" data-testid="rss" class="[&amp;&gt;img]:m-[2px] [&amp;&gt;img]:p-[4px] [&amp;&gt;img]:hover:bg-white/20"><img src="https://resources.bmj.com/repository/journals-network-project/images/social-media/rss.svg" alt="rss-icon" width="35" height="35" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/JME_BMJ" data-testid="x" class="[&amp;&gt;img]:m-[2px] [&amp;&gt;img]:p-[4px] [&amp;&gt;img]:hover:bg-white/20"><img src="https://resources.bmj.com/repository/journals-network-project/images/social-media/x.svg" alt="x-icon" width="35" height="35" /></a><a href="https://facebook.com/Journal.of.Medical.Ethics" data-testid="facebook" class="[&amp;&gt;img]:m-[2px] [&amp;&gt;img]:p-[4px] [&amp;&gt;img]:hover:bg-white/20"><img src="https://resources.bmj.com/repository/journals-network-project/images/social-media/facebook.svg" alt="facebook-icon" width="35" height="35" /></a><a href="http://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics?_gl=1*1hisal6*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.." data-testid="social-blogs" class="[&amp;&gt;img]:m-[2px] [&amp;&gt;img]:p-[4px] [&amp;&gt;img]:hover:bg-white/20"><img src="https://resources.bmj.com/repository/journals-network-project/images/social-media/social-blogs.svg" alt="social-blogs-icon" width="35" height="35" /></a></div></div><div data-testid="footer-journal" class="md:border-b-none [&amp;:last-child]:border-b-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 border-b-[1px] border-b-white/50 pr-6 pt-5 pb-4 md:pt-8 md:pb-8"><span class="mt-0 mb-5 block text-base font-normal uppercase leading-4">JOURNAL</span><ul class="ml-0 mb-4 pl-0"><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/about/">About</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/editorial-board/">Editorial board</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/signup.html?regService=etoc-alerts&amp;corpusCode=medethics&amp;fwdUrl=https://jme.bmj.com/&amp;_gl=1*1wm0oxi*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Sign up for email alerts</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/subscribe/">Subscribe</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/thank-you-to-our-reviewers/">Thank you to our reviewers</a></li></ul><div class="flex"></div></div><div data-testid="footer-authors" class="md:border-b-none [&amp;:last-child]:border-b-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 border-b-[1px] border-b-white/50 pr-6 pt-5 pb-4 md:pt-8 md:pb-8"><span class="mt-0 mb-5 block text-base font-normal uppercase leading-4">AUTHORS</span><ul class="ml-0 mb-4 pl-0"><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/authors/">Instructions for authors</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/medethics?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Submit an article</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://authors.bmj.com/policies/?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Editorial policies</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://openaccess.bmj.com/?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Open access at BMJ</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://authors.bmj.com/?_gl=1*14s18io*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">BMJ Author Hub</a></li></ul><div class="flex"></div></div><div data-testid="footer-help" class="md:border-b-none [&amp;:last-child]:border-b-none m-0 ml-auto mr-auto w-full min-w-0 border-b-[1px] border-b-white/50 pr-6 pt-5 pb-4 md:pt-8 md:pb-8"><span class="mt-0 mb-5 block text-base font-normal uppercase leading-4">HELP</span><ul class="ml-0 mb-4 pl-0"><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="/pages/contact-us/">Contact us</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform?_gl=1*1s7ogr7*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Reprints</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/permissions?_gl=1*1s7ogr7*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Permissions</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/for-advertisers-and-sponsor/?_gl=1*xsvz7q*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Advertising</a></li><li class="mb-4 list-none leading-none [&amp;:last-child]:mb-0"><a class="text-bmj-white leading-none no-underline [&amp;:hover]:underline" href="https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/customerservice/salesforce-form.html?_gl=1*xsvz7q*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA..">Feedback form</a></li></ul><div class="flex"></div></div></div><div class="justify-normal m-0 mx-auto flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col px-4 pt-4 md:flex-row md:justify-between"><div class="relative h-[35px] w-[60px]"><a data-testid="bmj-footer-logo-link" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/"><img alt="bmj-footer-logo" loading="lazy" width="60" height="35" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" src="/_next/static/media/bmj-footer-logo.c6e1ad28003cb22dbd978555514ed05c.svg" /></a></div><div data-testid="copyright-data-wrapper" class="flex flex-col items-start md:items-end [&amp;&gt;:first-of-type]:mt-0 [&amp;&gt;span:nth-of-type(2)]:whitespace-normal"><a data-testid="website-terms-and-conditions" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/legal-information/" class="decoration-none text-bmj-normal text-bmj-blue-500 [&amp;:hover]:decoration-none [&amp;:hover]:text-bmj-primary-brand mb-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:mt-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:md:mt-0">Website Terms &amp; Conditions</a><a data-testid="privacy-and-cookies" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/your-privacy/" class="decoration-none text-bmj-normal text-bmj-blue-500 [&amp;:hover]:decoration-none [&amp;:hover]:text-bmj-primary-brand mb-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:mt-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:md:mt-0">Privacy &amp; Cookies</a><a data-testid="contact-bmj" href="https://www.bmj.com/company/contact-us/" class="decoration-none text-bmj-normal text-bmj-blue-500 [&amp;:hover]:decoration-none [&amp;:hover]:text-bmj-primary-brand mb-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:mt-2 [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:md:mt-0">Contact BMJ</a><a href="#!" data-testid="cookie-settings" id="ot-sdk-btn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings decoration-none !mt:0 mb-2 cursor-pointer !border !border-[#43791A] !bg-transparent px-2 py-1 !text-[0.875rem] !text-[#43791A] duration-100 ease-linear md:mb-0 [&amp;:hover]:!bg-[#43791A] [&amp;:hover]:!text-white">Cookie settings</a><span data-testid="online-issn" class="text-bmj-silver-800 whitespace-pre text-sm leading-normal [&amp;&amp;&amp;]:mt-2">Online ISSN: 1473-4257 Print ISSN: 0306-6800</span><span data-testid="copyright" class="text-bmj-silver-800 mb-2 mt-2 whitespace-pre text-[0.875rem]">Copyright © 2024 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd &amp; Institute of Medical Ethics. All rights reserved.</span></div></div></footer><div class="border-t-divider border-t bg-bmj-siver-30 flex items-center justify-center py-3 min-w-[auto] min-h-[100px] md:min-h-[250px]"><div id="div-gpt-ad-3321227-2" data-testid="bottom-ad-slot" class="flex items-center justify-center w-[auto] h-[100px] md:h-[250px]"></div></div></div></div><script id="__NEXT_DATA__" type="application/json">{"props":{"pageProps":{"navigationalFooter":{"navigationItems":{"items":[{"id":8,"title":"CONTENT","child_items":[{"id":9,"title":"Latest content","url":"/content/early/recent"},{"id":10,"title":"Current issue","url":"/content/current"},{"id":11,"title":"Archive","url":"/content/by/year"},{"id":12,"title":"Browse by collection","url":"/pages/browse-by-collection/"},{"id":13,"title":"Most read articles","url":"/pages/most-read-articles/"},{"id":14,"title":"Top cited articles","url":"/pages/top-cited-articles/"},{"id":15,"title":"Responses","url":"/eletters"}],"hasSocialBar":true},{"id":16,"title":"JOURNAL","child_items":[{"id":17,"title":"About","url":"/pages/about/"},{"id":18,"title":"Editorial board","url":"/pages/editorial-board/"},{"id":19,"title":"Sign up for email alerts","url":"https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/signup.html?regService=etoc-alerts\u0026corpusCode=medethics\u0026fwdUrl=https://jme.bmj.com/\u0026_gl=1*1wm0oxi*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":20,"title":"Subscribe","url":"/pages/subscribe/"},{"id":21,"title":"Thank you to our reviewers","url":"/pages/thank-you-to-our-reviewers/"}]},{"id":22,"title":"AUTHORS","child_items":[{"id":23,"title":"Instructions for authors","url":"/pages/authors/"},{"id":24,"title":"Submit an article","url":"https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/medethics?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":91,"title":"Editorial policies","url":"https://authors.bmj.com/policies/?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":92,"title":"Open access at BMJ","url":"https://openaccess.bmj.com/?_gl=1*32453b*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":93,"title":"BMJ Author Hub","url":"https://authors.bmj.com/?_gl=1*14s18io*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."}]},{"id":296,"title":"HELP","child_items":[{"id":297,"title":"Contact us","url":"/pages/contact-us/"},{"id":298,"title":"Reprints","url":"https://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform?_gl=1*1s7ogr7*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":299,"title":"Permissions","url":"https://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/permissions?_gl=1*1s7ogr7*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":300,"title":"Advertising","url":"https://www.bmj.com/company/for-advertisers-and-sponsor/?_gl=1*xsvz7q*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},{"id":301,"title":"Feedback form","url":"https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/customerservice/salesforce-form.html?_gl=1*xsvz7q*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."}]}]},"navigationIcons":[{"name":"rss","url":"/pages/rss-feeds"},{"name":"x","url":"https://twitter.com/JME_BMJ"},{"name":"facebook","url":"https://facebook.com/Journal.of.Medical.Ethics"},{"name":"social-blogs","url":"http://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics?_gl=1*1hisal6*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA1NzM4Ni4xMDcuMS4xNjUxMDU4OTc5LjIw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."}]},"menuData":{"navData":[{"key":240,"displayName":"Latest content","link":"/content/early/recent"},{"key":241,"displayName":"Current issue","link":"/content/current"},{"key":308,"displayName":"Archive","link":"/content/by/year"},{"key":243,"displayName":"Authors","link":"/pages/authors/"},{"key":244,"displayName":"About","link":"/pages/about/"},{"key":360,"displayName":"JME Commentaries","link":"/pages/jme-commentaries"}]},"className":"authors","iforaIndexData":{"items":[{"id":259,"title":"Articles","url":"https://.","child_items":[{"id":260,"title":"Submission guidelines","url":"/pages/authors/#submission_guidelines"},{"id":261,"title":"Article processing charges","url":"/pages/authors/#article_processing_charges"},{"id":274,"title":"Waivers and Discounts","url":"/pages/authors/#waivers_and_discounts"},{"id":262,"title":"Preprints","url":"/pages/authors/#preprints"},{"id":263,"title":"Supplements","url":"/pages/authors/#supplements"}]},{"id":264,"title":"Authors","url":"https://.","child_items":[{"id":265,"title":"Copyright and authors’ rights","url":"/pages/authors/#copyright_and_authors_rights"},{"id":266,"title":"Article transfer service","url":"/pages/authors/#article_transfer_service"},{"id":267,"title":"Conflicts of interest","url":"/pages/authors/#conflicts_of_interest"},{"id":268,"title":"Rapid responses","url":"/pages/authors/#rapid_responses"}]},{"id":269,"title":"Journal Policy","url":"https://.","child_items":[{"id":270,"title":"Editorial policy","url":"/pages/authors/#editorial_policy"},{"id":271,"title":"Plan S compliance","url":"/pages/authors/#plan_s_compliance"},{"id":272,"title":"Peer review","url":"/pages/authors/#peer_review"},{"id":273,"title":"Data Sharing","url":"/pages/authors/#Data_Sharing"}]}]},"iforaMetricsData":{"submitButton":{"id":255,"title":"Submit manuscript","url":"https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/medethics?_gl=1*14ffp9z*_ga*MTM4MjY5MTgyOC4xNjQzMTExODE0*_ga_EXTSVLH45V*MTY1MTA2OTEzNC4xMDkuMS4xNjUxMDcyMTQ4LjYw*_fplc*eTVHJTJGODFxdG4lMkZ6MXFGTkNOVzIxZms5dzYlMkY0YzJoV3N3TU8wN2hGR1ZQWGE4dFhxUEVQSkw1d2xZNSUyQjBpdnpzQUdPM0Ryek9MckZXWUowQU50TSUyQnglMkJBVThTMU92TGYxRWtvWlM5Sm1FM1hiaDQ1NUpaMFAybnclMkZ5MU9UJTJCZyUzRCUzRA.."},"metrics":[{"id":190,"title":"Time to first decision with review: 56 days (median)"},{"id":191,"title":"Total content views: 1.21 million"},{"id":192,"title":"Impact factor: 3.3"}]},"sections":[{"sectionTitle":null,"subsections":[{"columnsContent":["\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e is a leading international journal that reflects the whole field of medical ethics. The journal seeks to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice. It features articles on various ethical aspects of health care relevant to health care professionals, members of clinical ethics committees, medical ethics professionals, researchers and bioscientists, policy makers and patients."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"editorial_policy\" name=\"editorial_policy\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eEditorial policy","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e adheres to the highest standards concerning its editorial policies on publication ethics, scientific misconduct, consent and peer review criteria. To view all BMJ Journal policies please refer to the \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/policies/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eBMJ Author Hub policies\u003c/a\u003e page.\r\n\r\nMore information on \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/policies/copyright-and-authors-rights/\"\u003ecopyright and authors’ rights\u003c/a\u003e."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"plan_s_compliance\" name=\"plan_s_compliance\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003ePlan S compliance","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e is a Plan S compliant Transformative Journal. Transformative Journals are one of the compliance routes offered by cOAlition S funders, such as Wellcome, WHO and UKRI. Find out more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.bmj.com/company/openaccess-transformative-journals/\"\u003eTransformative Journals\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/open-access/plan-s/\"\u003ePlan S compliance\u003c/a\u003e on our Author Hub."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"copyright_and_authors_rights\" name=\"copyright_and_authors_rights\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCopyright and authors’ rights","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Articles are published under an exclusive licence or non-exclusive licence for UK Crown employees or where BMJ has agreed CC BY applies. For US Federal Government officers or employees acting as part of their official duties, the terms are as stated in accordance with our licence terms. Authors or their employers retain copyright. Open access articles can be reused under the terms of the relevant Creative Commons licence to facilitate reuse of the content; please refer to the \u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://s16086.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BMJ_Journals_Combined_Author_Licence_2018.pdf\"\u003eAuthor Licence\u003c/a\u003e for the applicable Creative Commons licences.","When publishing in \u003cem\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/em\u003e, authors choose between three licence types – exclusive licence granted to BMJ, \u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/\"\u003eCC-BY-NC\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"\u003eCC-BY\u003c/a\u003e (Creative Commons open access licences require payment of an \u003ca href=\"#article_processing_charges\"\u003earticle processing charge\u003c/a\u003e). As an author you may wish to post your article in an institutional or subject repository, or on a scientific social sharing network. You may also link your published article to your preprint (if applicable). What you can do with your article, without seeking permission, depends on the licence you have chosen and the version of your article. Please refer to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/author-self-archiving-and-permissions/\"\u003eBMJ author self archiving and permissions policies page\u003c/a\u003e for more information."],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"preprints\" name=\"preprints\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003ePreprints","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Preprints foster openness, accessibility and collaboration by allowing authors to make their findings immediately available to the research community and receive feedback on an article before it is submitted to a journal for formal publication.\r\n\r\nBMJ fully supports and encourages the archiving of preprints in any recognised, not-for-profit server such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.medrxiv.org/\"\u003emedRxiv\u003c/a\u003e. BMJ does not consider the posting of an article in a dedicated preprint repository to be prior publication.","Preprints are reports of work that have not been peer-reviewed; Preprints should therefore not be used to guide clinical practice, health-related behaviour or health policy. For more information, please refer to our \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/policies/preprints/\"\u003ePreprint policy page\u003c/a\u003e."],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"article_transfer_service\" name=\"article_transfer_service\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eArticle transfer service","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["BMJ is committed to ensuring that all good quality research is published. Our \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/bmj-transfer-service/\"\u003earticle transfer service\u003c/a\u003e helps authors find the best journal for their research while providing an easy and smooth publication process. If authors agree to transfer their manuscript, all versions, supplementary files and peer reviewer comments are automatically transferred; there is no need to resubmit or reformat.\r\n\r\nAuthors who submit to the \u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e and are rejected will be offered the option of transferring to another \u003ca href=\"https://journals.bmj.com/\"\u003eBMJ Journal\u003c/a\u003e, such as \u003ca href=\"https://bmjopen.bmj.com/\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBMJ Open\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.","Please note that the article transfer service does not guarantee acceptance but you should receive a quicker initial decision on your manuscript.\r\n\r\nContact the Transfer Editor at transfers@bmj.com"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"peer_review\" name=\"peer_review\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003ePeer review","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e operates double anonymised peer review whereby the names of both the reviewer and the author are anonymous to each other. All submissions are reviewed by at least one reviewer. If there is uncertainty about acceptance after review, papers are reviewed by the editors. For more information on the peer review process, please consult the \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/peer-review-process/\"\u003eBMJ Author Hub – the peer review process\u003c/a\u003e.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnonymised manuscript\u003c/strong\u003e This should be free from:\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eAny author names, institution or contact details\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eDeclarations of interest\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\nThis may include:\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eStatements of ethical approval with all references to your institution replaced with \"[redacted for peer review]\"; e.g. “This research was approved by the University of North Carolina Institutional Review Board” becomes “This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of [redacted for peer review].” This statement should appear in the methods section of your manuscript.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e"],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"conflicts_of_interest\" name=\"conflicts_of_interest\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eConflicts of interest","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Authors are asked to declare any competing interests on submission to the journal. Associate editors are also asked to declare any potential conflict of interest when handling a paper, such as authorship by an author in the same institution or other relationships where there may be an appearance of a conflict of interest. These papers are handled by Professor Kenneth Boyd, Conflict of Interest editor for the journal, who may seek advice from other members of the editorial committee as appropriate. In these cases, the Conflict of Interest Editor may seek advice from a sub-committee of Associate Editors who are not affiliated to the authors. Other parts of the editorial process, which do not involve decisions about publishing the paper are not affected."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"article_processing_charges\" name=\"article_processing_charges\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eArticle processing charges","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["During submission, authors can choose to have their article published open access for 3,410 GBP (exclusive of VAT for UK and EU authors). Publishing open access has multiple benefits including wider reach, faster impact and increased citation and usage. There are no charges for submission, page or colour figures."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"waivers_and_discounts\" name=\"waivers_and_discounts\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWaivers and discounts","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["If authors choose to publish their article open access, an APC waiver may be available. Before applying for an APC waiver please consider:\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003e(1) Does your institution have an open access agreement with BMJ? \u003c/strong\u003e If it does, then this may cover all or part of the APC for your article. Check BMJ’s open access agreements page to find out whether your institution is a member and what discounts you may be entitled to.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003e(2) Have you received funding from a funder with an open access mandate or policy that covers paying APCs? \u003c/strong\u003e If so, BMJ expects that the APC will be paid in full.","If neither (1) nor (2) above apply then consider\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003e(3) Are all the authors of your article based in low-income countries*? \u003c/strong\u003eIf so, you are eligible to apply for a full or partial waiver from BMJ.\r\nVisit our \u003ca href=\"//authors.bmj.com/open-access/fees-discounts/)\"\u003eauthor hub\u003c/a\u003e to learn more about our waivers policy and how to request one.\r\n\r\nPlease note that regardless of the funding situation, authors can still choose to publish with us at no cost, and articles will be made available to our subscribers.\r\n\r\n*This list is reviewed annually and is based upon HINARI Core Offer Groups A and B, and the World Bank Country and Lending Groups."],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"Data_Sharing\" name=\"Data_Sharing\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eData Sharing","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics \u003c/i\u003eadheres to BMJ's Tier 2 data policy. We strongly encourage that data generated by your research that supports your article be made available as soon as possible, wherever legally and ethically possible. We also require data from clinical trials to be made available upon reasonable request. To adhere to ICMJE guidelines, we require that a data sharing plan must be included with trial registration for clinical trials that begin enrolling participants on or after 1st January 2019. Changes to the plan must be noted in the Data Availability Statement and updated in the registry record. All research articles must contain a Data Availability Statement. For more information and FAQs, please see BMJ's full Data Sharing Policy page."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"rapid_responses\" name=\"rapid_responses\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eRapid responses","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["A rapid response is a moderated but not peer reviewed online response to a published article in \u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e; it will not receive a DOI and will not be indexed. Find out more about responses and how to \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/rapid-responses/\"\u003e\u003cu\u003esubmit a response.\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/a\u003e"],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"submission_guidelines\" name=\"submission_guidelines\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSubmission guidelines","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Please review the below article type specifications including the required article lengths, illustrations, table limits and reference counts. The word count excludes the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements, contributions and references. Manuscripts should be as succinct as possible.\r\n\r\nFor further support when making your submission please refer to the resources available on the \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eBMJ Author Hub\u003c/a\u003e. Here you will find information on \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/writing-and-formatting/formatting-your-paper/\"\u003ewriting and formatting\u003c/a\u003e your research through to the \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/after-submitting/peer-review-process/\"\u003epeer review process\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/promote-your-paper/\"\u003epromoting your paper\u003c/a\u003e. You may also wish to use the \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/before-you-submit/language-editing-services/\"\u003elanguage editing and translation\u003c/a\u003e services provided by \u003ca href=\"https://authorservices.bmj.com/?utm_source=BMJ-jme\u0026amp;utm_medium=Referral\"\u003eBMJ Author Services\u003c/a\u003e. For guidance on how writing informative titles, please view \u003ca href=\"https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2014/02/05/academics-choose-useless-titles/\"\u003ethis blog post\u003c/a\u003e from the London School of Economics and Political Science.","\u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e does accept footnotes at the end of each page which should be denoted in superscript Roman numerals. There should be no more than around 30 words per footnote.\r\n\r\n\u003ca href=\"#editorial\"\u003eEditorial\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#commentary\"\u003eCommentary\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#words\"\u003eWords\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#original_research\"\u003eOriginal research\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#extended_essay\"\u003eOriginal research - extended essays\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#feature_article\"\u003eFeature article\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#short_report\"\u003eShort report\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#clinical_ethics\"\u003eClinical ethics roundtable\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#response\"\u003eResponse\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#ethics_abstract\"\u003eEthics abstract\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#student_essay\"\u003eStudent essay\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#current_controversy\"\u003eCurrent controversy\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#author_meets_critics\"\u003eAuthor meets critics\u003c/a\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"#ethics_briefing\"\u003eEthics briefing\u003c/a\u003e"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"editorial\" name=\"editorial\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eEditorial","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Editorials are commissioned only articles. “Guest Editorials” are invited by the editors and they address important and current ethical issues. The positions they present are not necessarily those of the editorial team."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"commentary\" name=\"commentary\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCommentary","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Commentaries are commissioned only articles.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count\u003c/strong\u003e: up to 1,000\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract\u003c/strong\u003e: Not required\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 2\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"words\" name=\"words\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWords","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["“Words” columns explain an ethical concept or word that is useful and should be more widely understood. They will explain a clinically relevant ethical concept that would benefit from being explained and is preferably from a non-western ethical tradition. They are commissioned and not peer reviewed, authors should contact the journal’s Editor in Chief in the first instance.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count\u003c/strong\u003e: up to 1,000\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"original_research\" name=\"original_research\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eOriginal research","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Original research includes both philosophical papers and empirical studies. Please note that papers that do not present empirical research do not need to upload a research checklist and should state 'not applicable' where applicable upon submission.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 3,500\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/Illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"extended_essay\" name=\"extended_essay\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eOriginal research - extended essay","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Original research - extended essays employ in-depth philosophical analysis in order to address an important policy- or practice-related normative question. Predominantly empirical papers will not be considered in this category.\r\n\r\nNote that because of space considerations, the acceptance rate for extended essays is very low. We would recommend to authors (to maximise their chance of successful submission) that they submit their work as a standard length article unless there is a clear and compelling justification for the higher word count.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 7,000\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250 words\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/Illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 50"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"feature_article\" name=\"feature_article\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eFeature article","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Feature articles are selected from the best Extended Essays accepted for publication in the journal. Feature Articles will be selected on the basis that they express authoritative, novel and perhaps even provocative arguments. They might also discuss important new advances which have implications for both research, clinical practice or society at large. While authors need not be systematic in their approach to the literature, they should aim to develop a theme, with clear, logical argumentation, with some vision of the future or practical import for medical ethics, broadly construed.","\u003cstrong style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"\u003e up to 7,000\r\n\u003c/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract: \u003c/strong\u003eup to 250 words, unstructured\u003cstrong\u003e\r\n\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 30\r\n\r\nWe will generally run several 1,000 word commentaries around the Feature article. You will have the right to write a short response to commentators of less than 500 words."],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"short_report\" name=\"short_report\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eShort report","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Short reports include summarised Original research arguments or results of empirical studies that can be stated succinctly.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 1,500\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/Illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 2\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 25"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"clinical_ethics\" name=\"clinical_ethics\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eClinical ethics roundtable","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["While roundtables are commissioned only, those interested in proposing one when they address issues that are significant and relevant to health care professionals should write to the Editor in Chief.","Clinical ethics roundtables should include the following:\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eDescription of the situation or issue of between 400-800 words.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eAt least three commentaries of up to 1,000 words from a range of perspectives. Ordinarily, at least one commentary will present a patient perspective.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"response\" name=\"response\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eResponse","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Response articles are responses to articles previously published in the \u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics. \u003c/i\u003eThey may be peer-reviewed at the editors' discretion, peer-reviewed responses will be reviewed on a fast track for timely publication. This may include responses from authors who have been criticised in the Journal.","\u003cstrong style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"\u003e1,500 words\r\n\u003c/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e at editorial discretion\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 10"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"ethics_abstract\" name=\"ethics_abstract\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eEthics abstract","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Ethics abstracts are commissioned only articles offered to authors following submissions where the topic or findings are considered to be of some interest to \u003ci\u003eJournal of Medical Ethics\u003c/i\u003e readership but not at the level of a peer-reviewed article.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 500\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 1\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 3"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"student_essay\" name=\"student_essay\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStudent essay","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Student Essays aim to encourage medical and other related students to consider ethical issues. To qualify as a student essay, all the authors must be current students at the time of submission, usually on a medical or undergraduate course rather than at doctoral or other postgraduate level; information about your current course of study should be included in your cover letter.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 3,500\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/Illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 25"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"current_controversy\" name=\"current_controversy\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCurrent controversy","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["This article should cover some current news item, legal case or recent advance of ethical significance, together with identification and some analysis of ethical issues involved. Articles in this category undergo peer review, though where they discuss urgent issues the review process may be fast-tracked to ensure early publication.\r\n\r\nAuthors should consider submitting a \u003ca href=\"https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eforum post\u003c/a\u003e on the issue that they plan on writing about before submitting a current controversy. This will mean that they can draw attention to an issue in the forum post while it is ‘news’ and then publish a more in depth ethical analysis of it as a current controversy. For more information on how to write for the forum, please see the instructions \u003ca href=\"https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/submissions/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.","\u003cstrong\u003eWord count:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 3500 words\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbstract:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 250 words\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eTables/Illustrations:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 5, any more at editorial discretion\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e up to 25"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"author_meets_critics\" name=\"author_meets_critics\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAuthor meets critics","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["The author meets critics commissioned only series consists of a summary of a new book (monograph) in medical ethics by the author, plus responses from 2 to 3 critics, each of no more than 1,000 words and an author response."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"ethics_briefing\" name=\"ethics_briefing\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eEthics briefing","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["Ethics briefings are supplied by the medical ethics team at the BMA only."],"layoutType":"A"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003ca id=\"supplements\" name=\"supplements\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSupplements","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of:\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eThe journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eThe journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eBMJ itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eA sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\nIn all cases, it is vital that the journal's integrity, independence and academic reputation is not compromised in any way.","For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the \u003ca href=\"/jme/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Supplement_Guidelines-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003esupplements guidelines\u003c/a\u003e.\r\n\r\nWhen contacting us regarding a potential supplement, please include as much of the information below as possible.\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eJournal in which you would like the supplement published\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eTitle of supplement and/or meeting on which it is based\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eDate of meeting on which it is based\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eProposed table of contents with provisional article titles and proposed authors\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eAn indication of whether authors have agreed to participate\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eSponsor information including any relevant deadlines\u003c/li\u003e\r\n \t\u003cli\u003eAn indication of the expected length of each paper Guest Editor proposals if appropriate\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e"],"layoutType":"B"}]},{"sectionTitle":"\u003cem\u003eConfidentiality\u003c/em\u003e","subsections":[{"columnsContent":["The Journal of Medical Ethics is committed to the importance of respecting confidentiality and it follows \u003ca href=\"https://authors.bmj.com/policies/patient-consent-and-confidentiality/\"\u003eBMJ's guidelines\u003c/a\u003e."],"layoutType":"A"}]}],"seoMetadata":[{"key":"title","property":"title","content":"Authors | JME"},{"key":"robots","property":"robots","content":"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1"},{"key":"canonical","property":"canonical","content":"https://jme.bmj.com/pages/authors"},{"key":"og_locale","property":"og:locale","content":"en_GB"},{"key":"og_type","property":"og:type","content":"article"},{"key":"og_title","property":"og:title","content":"Authors | JME"},{"key":"og_description","property":"og:description","content":"Editorial policies and instructions for authors looking to publish their work in the Journal of Medical Ethics."},{"key":"description","name":"description","content":"Editorial policies and instructions for authors looking to publish their work in the Journal of Medical Ethics."},{"key":"og_url","property":"og:url","content":"https://jme.bmj.com/pages/authors"},{"key":"og_site_name","property":"og:site_name","content":"JME"},{"key":"og_image","property":"og:image","content":"https://jme.bmj.com/jme/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/04/BMJ_logo_400x400.jpeg"},{"key":"og_image_width","property":"og:image:width","content":298},{"key":"og_image_height","property":"og:image:height","content":298},{"key":"twitter_image","property":"twitter:image","content":"https://jme.bmj.com/jme/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/04/BMJ_logo_400x400.jpeg"},{"key":"article_modified_time","property":"article:modified_time","content":"2024-10-01T10:46:05+00:00"},{"key":"twitter_card","property":"twitter:card","content":"summary_large_image"}],"title":"Authors","breadcrumbsBarData":{"breadcrumbs":[{"pageName":"Home","url":"/"},{"pageName":"Authors"}],"emailAlertsLink":"https://myaccount.bmj.com/myaccount/signup.html?regService=etoc-alerts\u0026corpusCode=medethics\u0026fwdUrl=https://jme.bmj.com/"},"adSlots":null,"gtmContainerCode":"GTM-M9GMZF","adsLazyLoad":true,"pageBuildInfo":null,"isPreview":false,"baiduCode":"","associationLogos":[{"title":"IME","link":"","src":"https://jme.bmj.com/jme/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/05/society-logo-ime.png","alt":"","width":169,"height":103}]},"__N_SSG":true},"page":"/pages/authors","query":{},"buildId":"fNDGNM5UN6L6tWgoPLDC2","isFallback":false,"gsp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}</script></body></html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10