Ethical aspects of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)

V. Daloiso, R. Minacori, P. Refolo, D. Sacchini, L. Craxì, A. Gasbarrini, A.G. Spagnolo

Institute of Bioethics, “A. Gemelli” School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. dsacchini@rm.unicatt.it

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• Bioethics

The importance of human microbiota in preserving human organism healthy is nowadays well acknowledged. The alteration of the microbiota can be the consequence of a persistent use of antibiotics or immunosuppressive medications or abdominal irradiation or surgery, wrong diet, or can be caused by surgery or anatomical condition. These alterations can cause many infections and diseases that today can be treated with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), also called Bacteriotherapy, that is the administration of a fecal solution from a donor into the intestinal tract of a recipient.

Although to date, FMT appears to be safe and without serious adverse effects, there are some ethical issues that are worthy to be investigated.

The aim of this article is to highlight these issues in order to give some notes for a better implementation of this particular clinical practice.

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