Paola Frati
Department of Forensic Medicine, II Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "La Sapienza", I
Gianluca Montanari Vergallo
Department of Forensic Medicine, II Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "La Sapienza", I
Natale Mario Di Luca
Department of Forensic Medicine, II Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "La Sapienza", I
Keywords:
Transfusion , History , Ethic , Law
Abstract
The paper outlines the stages of the history of blood transfusion from the earlier attempts and difficulties to the important discoveries of the early XX century and to recent developments, that have made blood transfusion an easy life-saving method. The authors also examine the ethical motivations underlying transfusion refusal as well as the economical measures of solidarity containes in the Italian law n. 210/1992 to protect HIV, HCV or HBV patients, especially those having contracted infection because of mandatory vaccinations or infected blood transfusions.
