PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Tham, Joseph
AU  - Sem, Geoffrey
AU  - Sit, Eugene
AU  - Tai, Michael Cheng-tek
TI  - The ethics of betel nut consumption in Taiwan
AID  - 10.1136/medethics-2016-103990
DP  - 2017 Nov 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 739--740
VI  - 43
IP  - 11
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/43/11/739.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/43/11/739.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2017 Nov 01; 43
AB  - The ethics of betel nut use in Taiwan are examined in this article. It first presents scientific facts about the betel quid, its consumption and negative health consequences and then analyses the cultural background and economic factors contributing to its popularity in Asia. Governmental and institutional attempts to curb betel nut cultivation, distribution and sales are also described. Finally, the bioethical implications of this often ignored subject are considered.