Journal articles (peer-reviewed)
Kuiter SG, Herrmann A, Mertz M, Quitmann C, Salloch S (2025) Should healthcare professionals include aspects of environmental sustainability in clinical decision-making? A systematic review of reasons. BMC Medical Ethics 26:78
Kahrass H, Schnarr A, Faggion CM, Mertz M (2025) Ethics domains in full health technology assessment reports. An attempt to begin mapping the field. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 41(1):e22
Klingler C, Mertz M (2025) Towards (more) evidence-based ethics guidelines: Devising the REIGN-Framework. Evidence & Policy (Early View)
Mertz M, Hetzel T, Alex K*, Braun K*, Camenzind S*, Dodaro R*, Jörgensen S*, Linder E*, Capas-Peneda S*, Reihs EI*, Tiwari V*, Todorović Z*, Kahrass H, Selter F (2024) Interdisciplinary animal research ethics - challenges, opportunities, and perspectives. Animals 14(19):2896 (*equivalent contribution)
Kahrass H, Pietschmann I, Mertz M (2024) Why do I choose an animal model or an alternative method in basic and preclinical biomedical research? A spectrum of ethically relevant reasons and their evaluation. Animals 14(4):651
Kühlmeyer K, Jansky B, Mertz M, Marckmann G (2024) Transformative medical ethics: A framework for changing practice according to normative ethical requirements. Bioethics 38:241-251
Kremling A, Schildmann J, Mertz M (2024) From book to bedside? A critical perspective on the debate about "translational bioethics". Bioethics 38:177-186
Kahrass H, Borry P, Gastmans C, Ives J, van der Graaf R, Strech D, Mertz M (2023) RESERVE - REporting of SystEmatic ReViews in Ethics: development, explanations and examples. Bioethics Open Research 1:4
Katzer M, Salloch S, Schindler C, Mertz M (2023) Ethical requirements for human challenge studies: a systematic review of reasons. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 114:1209-1219
Nobile H, Randjbar Moshtaghin NL, Lüddecke Z, Schnarr A, Mertz M (2023) What can the citations of systematic reviews of ethical literature tell us about their use? An explorative empirical analysis of 31 reviews. Systematic Reviews 12:173
Mertz M, Prince [Otto] I, Pietschmann I (2023) Values, decision-making and empirical bioethics: a conceptual model for empirically identifying and analyzing value judgements. Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 44:567-587
Beigel F, Mertz M, Salloch S (2023) A systematic review documenting reasons whether physicians should provide treatment to their family and friends. Family Practice cmac142
Schnarr A, Mertz M (2022) States of uncertainty, risk-benefit assessment and early clinical research: a conceptual investigation. Science & Engineering Ethics 28:68
Bitterlinger M, Hoffmann D, Sierawska AK, Mertz M, Schambach A, Strech D (2022) Risk assessment in gene therapy and somatic genome-editing: An expert interview study. Gene and Genome Editing 3-4:100011
Schleidgen S, Kremling A, Mertz M, Kühlmeyer K, Inthorn J, Haltaufderheide J (2022) How to derive ethically appropriate recommendations for action? A methodology for applied ethics. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 26:175-184
Kühlmeyer K, Mertz M, Haltaufderheide J, Kremling A, Schleidgen S, Inthorn J (2022) Empirical research and recommendations for moral action: A plea for the transparent reporting of bridge principles in public health research. Public Health Ethics 15(2):147-159
Otto I, Kahrass H, Mertz M (2021) "Same same but different"? On the questionable but crucial differentiation of ethical and social aspects in health technology assessment. Journal of Evidence, Training and Quality in Health Care 164:1-10
Mertz M, Nobile H, Kahrass H (2020) Systematic reviews of empirical literature on bioethical topics. Results from a meta-review. Nursing Ethics 27(4):960-978
Mertz M (2019) How to tackle the conundrum of quality appraisal in systematic reviews of normative literature/information? Analyzing the problems of three possible strategies (Translation of a German Paper). BMC Medical Ethics 20:81(slightly revised translation of ZEFQ 2017, 127-128:11-20)
Mertz M, Fischer T, Salloch S (2019) The value of bioethical research: a qualitative literature analysis of researchers' statements. PLoS ONE 14(7):e0220438
Ives J, Dunn M, Molewijk B, Schildmann J, Baeroe K, Frith L, Huxtable R, Landerweer E, Mertz M, Provoost V, Rid A, Salloch S, Sheehan M, Strech D, deVries M, Widdershoven G (2018) Standards of practice in empirical bioethics research: towards a consensus. BMC Medical Ethics 19:68
Mertz M, Schildmann J (2018) Beyond integrating social sciences: reflecting on the place of life sciences in empirical bioethics methodologies. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 21(2):207-214
Mertz M, Strech D, Kahrass H (2017) What methods do reviews of normative ethics literature use for search, selection, analysis and synthesis? In-depth results from a systematic review of reviews. Systematic Reviews 6:261
Mertz M (2017) Quality assessment in systematic reviews of normative literature. A problem analysis. Journal of Evidence, Training and Quality in Health Care 127-128:11-20
Kahrass H, Strech D, Mertz M (2017) Ethical issues in obesity prevention for school children: A systematic qualitative review. International Journal of Public Health 62(9):981-988
Mertz M, Kahrass H, Strech D (2016) Current state of ethics literature synthesis: a systematic review of reviews. BMC Medicine 14:152
Kahrass H, Strech D, Mertz M (2016) The full spectrum of clinical ethical issues in kidney failure. Findings of a systematic qualitative review. PloS ONE 11(3):e0149357
Mertz M, Strech D (2014) Systematic and transparent inclusion of ethical issues and recommendations in clinical practice guidelines: a six-step approach. Implementation Science 9:184
Albisser Schleger H, Meyer-Zehnder B, Tanner S, Mertz M, Schnurrer V, Pargger H, Reiter-Theil S (2014) Ethics in everyday clinical practice - METAP, a model for ethical decision-making in interprofessional teams. Bioethica Forum 7(1):27-36
Mertz M, Sofaer N, Strech D (2014) Did we describe what you meant? Findings and methodological discussion of an empirical validation study for a systematic review of reasons. BMC Medical Ethics 15:69
Mertz M, Albisser Schleger H, Meyer-Zehnder B, Reiter-Theil S (2014) Principles and discourse - An approach to theoretical justification of ethical case review and ethics consultation. Ethics in medicine 26(2):91-104
Mertz M, Inthorn J, Renz G, Rothenberger GL, Salloch S, Schildmann J, Wöhlke S, Schicktanz S (2014) Research across the disciplines: a road map for quality criteria in empirical ethics research. BMC Medical Ethics 15:17
Knüppel [Kahrass] H, Mertz M*, Schmidhuber M, Neitzke G, Strech D* (2013) Inclusion of ethical issues in dementia guidelines: a thematic text analysis. PLoS Medicine 10(8):e1001498 (*equivalent article)
Strech D, Mertz M, Knüppel [Kahrass] H, Neitzke G, Schmidhuber M (2013) The full spectrum of ethical issues in dementia care: systematic qualitative review. British Journal of Psychiatry 202:400-406
Gesang B, Mertz M, Meyer-Zehnder B, Reiter-Theil S (2013) Strong and weak autonomy - a helpful distinction for the prevention of under- and overtreatment. Ethics in medicine 25:329-341
Reiter-Theil S, Mertz M, Schürmann J, Stingelin N, Meyer-Zehnder B (2011) Evidence - competence - discourse: the theoretical framework of the multi-center clinical ethics support project METAP. Bioethics 25(7):403-412
Reiter-Theil S, Mertz M, Albisser Schleger H, Meyer-Zehnder B, Kressig RW, Pargger H (2011) Clinical ethics as a partnership - or how a guideline for the patient-oriented use of resources can be developed and implemented. Ethics in Medicine 23(2):93-105
Reiter-Theil S, Mertz M, Meyer-Zehnder B (2007) The complex roles of relatives in end-of-life decision-making. An ethical analysis. Health Ethics Committee Forum 19(4):338-361
Mertz M (2007) Complementary and alternative medicine: the challenges of ethical justification. A philosophical analysis and evaluation of ethical reasons for the offer, use and promotion of complementary and alternative medicine. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 10(3):329-345
Journal articles (not peer-reviewed)
Schnell-Inderst P, Steigenberger C, Mertz M, Otto [Prince] I, Flatscher-Thöni M, Siebert U (2022) Additional treatment with mistletoe extracts for patients with breast cancer compared to conventional cancer therapy alone - efficacy and safety, costs and cost-effectiveness, patients and social aspects, and ethical assessment. GMS German Medical Science 20:Doc10
Pietschmann I, Mertz M (2020) Humanisme médical et médecine complémentaire, alternative et integrative. Dossier "La médecine et ses humanismes", Archives de Philosophie 83(4):83-102 (translated from English by Antonin Broi)[English version]
Mertz M (2020) How should the use of artificial intelligence in medicine be assessed? A brief medical ethical consideration. Loccumer Pelikan 2/2020:22-26
Strech D, Mertz M, Schmidhuber M, Neitzke G, Kahrass H (2015) On the consideration of ethical aspects in dementia guidelines. Psychiatry 12:35-41
Woopen C, Mertz M (2014) Ethics in technology assessment: Four indispensable functions. From politics and contemporary history 6-7:40-46
Reiter-Theil S, Meyer-Zehnder B, Mertz M, Albisser Schleger H, Kressig RW, Pargger H (2014) Clinical ethics as a partnership - or how a guideline for the patient-oriented use of resources can be developed and implemented. Hessisches Ärzteblatt 5:261-267 (updated abridged version of Ethik Med 2011, 23(2):93-105)
Albisser Schleger H, Meyer-Zehnder B, Tanner S, Seitz V, Mertz M, Pargger H, Reiter-Theil S (2013) A customized clinical everyday ethics. METAP - An ethical decision-making model. Pflegezeitschrift 66(10):586-589
Albisser Schleger H, Meyer-Zehnder B, Tanner S, Mertz M, Schnurrer V, Pargger H, Reiter-Theil S (2013) Tailored everyday clinical ethics. Nursing 5/2013:12-16
Comments
Haltaufderheide J, Mertz M, Vollmann J, Schildmann J (2016) Open Peer Commentary: Do not try to run before you can walk. Empirical and meta-ethical presuppositions of using ethical theory in clinical ethics consultation. The American Journal of Bioethics 16(9):51-53
Mertz M, Mertz D (2012) Comment on: ethical dilemmas in antibiotic treatment. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 67(5):1302-1303
Book contributions
Katzer M, Mertz M, Salloch S, Schindler C (2025, submitted) "Ethical concerns of challenge studies in a pandemic: lessons from COVID-19". In: Mitrović V, Kühler M, Gordijn B (eds) Enhancing Resilience and Preparedness in Future Pandemics: Ethical Challenges. (in preparation)
Mertz M, Kahrass H (2025, submitted) "Systematic reviews of bioethics literature". In: Ives J, Dunn M, Frith L, Huxtable R, Morley G, Parsons JA, Subramani S (eds) Routledge Handbook of Empirical Bioethics. Routledge (in preparation)
Mertz M (2023) "Ethical aspects in HTA". In: Perleth M, Busse R, Fuchs S, Gerhardus A, Gibis B, Lühmann D (eds) Health Technology Assessment: Concepts, Methods, Practice for Science and Decision Making (3rd edition). Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Berlin; pp. 246-262
Mertz M (2021) "Honesty". In: Matusiewicz D, Werner JA (eds) Future Skills in Medicine and Health. People. Strengths.Competencies. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Berlin; pp. 8-12
Mertz M (2020) "Empirical incursions. Validity dimensions of a moral norm and their dependency on evidence". In: Bauer AM, Meyerhuber M (eds.) Empirical Research and Normative Theory. Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Two Methodical Traditions between Separation and Interdependence. De Gruyter, Berlin, pp. 189-235
Richter G, De Clercq E, Mertz M, Buyx A (2020) "Reporting of secondary findings in genomic research: Stakeholders' attitudes and preferences". In: Langanke M, Erdmann P, Brothers KB (eds) Secondary Findings in Genomic Research. Elsevier Inc./Academic Press, San Diego; pp. 99-132
Mertz M (2019) "Ethics in healthcare". In: Haring R (ed) Health Sciences. Springer Reference Nursing - Therapy - Health. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg; pp. 689-700.
Mertz M, Strech D, Kahrass H (2018) "Ethical aspects of the prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence: Selected results of a systematic qualitative review". In: Dadaczynski K, Quilling E, Walter U (eds) Overweight prevention in childhood and adolescence.Basics, strategies and intervention concepts in lifeworlds. Hogrefe publishing house; pp. 245-254
Mertz M (2018) "Intervention studies with non-treated control groups: prohibited, permitted or required? An analysis from a research and medical ethics perspective". In: Haring R, Siegmüller J (eds.) Evidence-based practice in the health professions. Opportunities and challenges for research and application. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg; pp. 87-107
Strech D, Mertz M, Schmidhuber M, Neitzke G, Kahrass H (2015) "On the consideration of ethical aspects in dementia guidelines". In: Feuerstein G, Schramme T (eds) Ethics of the psyche.Normative questions in dealing with mental deviation. Campus Verlag, Frankfurt a.M./New York; pp. 331-346
Schürmann J, Meyer-Zehnder B, Mertz M, Albisser Schleger H, Schlögl M, Kressig R, Pargger H, Reiter-Theil S (2014) "Fairness and transparency in bedside micro-allocation: improving the ethical competence of clinical staff". In: Danis M, Hurst S, Fleck LM, Forde R, Slowther AM (eds) Fair Resource Allocation and Rationing at the Bedside. Oxford University Press, Oxford; pp. 301-322
Reiter-Theil S, Mertz M (2012) "What is a moral problem in medical ethics?". In: Grimm H, Ostheimer J, Zichy M (eds) What is a moral problem?On the question of the subject of applied ethics. Verlag Karl Alber, Freiburg i.Brsg.; pp. 293-321
Strech D, Mertz M (2012) "Basic principles of research ethics". In: Raspe H, Hüppe A, Strech D, Taupitz J (2012) Recommendations for the assessment of clinical trials by ethics committees (2nd revised/updated edition). Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag, Cologne; pp. 1-8
Raspe H, Hüppe A, Strech D, Taupitz J, Schmidt C, Hoppe N, Mertz M (2012) "Checkpoints in long form". In: Raspe H, Hüppe A, Strech D, Taupitz J (2012) Recommendations for the assessment of clinical trials by ethics committees (2nd revised/updated edition). Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag, Cologne; pp. 15-194
Mertz M (2011) "Transdisciplinary research in clinical ethics. Opportunities and challenges from a scientific research perspective - a case study." In: Hügli A, Chiesa C, Dorthe G (eds.) Studia philosophica: At the limits of human life.Health, Legal, Power. Yearbook of the Swiss Philosophical Society, Vol. 70/2011. Schwabe Verlag, Basel; pp. 187-216
Monographs
Albisser Schleger H, Mertz M, Meyer-Zehnder B, Reiter-Theil S (2019/2012) Clinical ethics - METAP. Guideline for decisions at the bedside (2nd edition). Springer, Heidelberg
Mertz M (2015) Criteriological underdetermination of ethics through empiricism.Norm validity criteria for the use of empirical evidence in moral norms. Inaugural dissertation for the award of the academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Philosophical seminar, University of Mannheim
Mertz M (2011) Evidence-based clinical ethics. Philosophical investigations into the use of empiricism and evidence in (medical) ethics. GRIN Verlag, Munich/Ravensburg
Mertz M, Schürmann J (2008) Knowing and letting-know - knowledge types and knowledge distribution in pen-and-paper role-playing.An empirical and conceptual study informed by the sociology of knowledge with a focus on knowledge typology. GRIN Publishing, Munich/Ravensburg
Anthologies
Woopen C, Janhsen A, Mertz M, Genske A (2020; Eds.) Ageing society in transition. On shaping a society of long life. Series "Schriften zu Gesundheit und Gesellschaft". Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg
Strech D, Mertz M (2016; eds.) Ethics and Governance of Biomedical Research: Theory and Practice. Series "Research Ethics Forum", Springer International Publishing Switzerland
Textbooks/materials
Participation in the creation of various Open Educational Resources (OER) on the topics of animal experimentation ethics and ethics of livestock farming
Kahrass H, Mertz M (2021) Ethics in public health. Analyzing, evaluating, deciding. APOLLON University Press, Bremen
Mertz M, Kahrass H (2021) Ethics and digital health. How can we ethically evaluate health apps, online coaching, care robots and co. Web Based Training. APOLLON University - University of Applied Sciences of the Health Economy, Bremen
Published final reports / Health Technology Assessment reports
Final reports
Klingler C, Mertz M (2021) REIGN Framework. Use of Research Evidence to Inform Guidance regarding Normative-ethical Topics. Final report/discussion paper.
Mertz M*, Jannes M*, Schlomann A*, Manderscheid E, Rietz C, Woopen C (2016) Digital self-determination. Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health (ceres), Cologne (*equivalent contribution)
HTA reports
Stark A, Schütz K, Schley A, Boniakowsky D, Neumann A, Neusser S, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Ruppel T, Butz S, Lühmann D, Balzer K (2025) T23-05: Kinesthetics ("Theory of the sensation of movement"): Do people being cared for and professional carers benefit from its use? Preliminary HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Gorenoi V, Bruns F, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Krauth C, Kula A, Beck S, Hagen A (2023) HT21-01: Fibromatoses of the hand (Dupuytren's disease) and / or foot (Ledderhose disease). Do patients benefit from radiotherapy? HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Gorenoi V, Sturm C, Bonetti F, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Schnarr A, Krauth C, Beck S, Hagen A (2022) HT20-05: Mobility disorders: Does the Feldenkrais Method help? HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Butz S, Kahrass H, Kloppe T, Lühmann D, Mertz M, Mews C, Neumann A, Neusser S, Otto I, Ruppel T, Scherer M (2022) HT20-03: Social isolation in old age: Which measures can prevent or counteract social isolation? HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Köpke S, Möhler R, Brockmeier K, Görtz-Dorten A, Döpfner M, Icks A, Marckmann G, Bäumer A, Mertz M, Otto I, Schamong A (2022) HT20-02: Heart disease in children: Can children be helped to cope with their disease by psychological support? HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Kula A, Strech D, Mertz M, Krüger K, Liersch S, Walter U, Hagen A (2021) Obesity prevention programs in schools. HTA report. German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), Cologne
Gorenoi V, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Strech D, Hagen A (2021) Gender-specific differences in drug effects taking age groups into account. Exemplary analysis using examples of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists as cardiac therapeutics and antidepressants as psychotropic drugs. HTA report. German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), Cologne
Schnell-Inderst P, Steigenberger C, Mertz M, Otto I, Flatscher-Thöni M, Siebert U (2021) Safety and efficacy of mistletoe extract therapy in patients with breast cancer as an adjunct to conventional cancer therapy compared to conventional cancer therapy alone. HTA report. German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), Cologne
Heesen C, Riemann-Lorenz K, Lühmann D, Muche-Borowski C, Konnopka A, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Beck S (2021) HT19-03: Multiple sclerosis: Does the use of mhealth solutions (e.g. apps) in patient self-management lead to better outcomes? HTA report. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Hagen A, Gorenoi V, Tavassol F, Krauth C, Mertz M, Kahrass H, Strech D, Beck S, Seidel G (2019) HT17-01: Cleft lip and palate: Does the use of nasoalveolar molding prior to surgery lead to better outcomes? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne
Translations
First translation (English-German): John Harris "Intimations of immortality: the ethics and justice of life-extending therapies". As: "Intimations of immortality: the ethics and justice of life-extending therapies". In: Knell S, Weber M (2009, eds.) Länger leben?Philosophical and bioscientific perspectives. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt a.M.; pp. 174-209
Other publications
Selter F, Hetzel T, Kahrass H, Mertz M (2023) Animal research ethics as interaction of research ethics, animal ethics, and (animal protection) law. Conference report ALTEX 40(3):541-544
Mertz M (2020) "Is that still 'ethics' at all?"- Non-philosophical methods in interdisciplinary medical ethics. Blog post. Praefaktisch - A philosophy blog.
Hermann L, Hoppe N, Kahrass H, Lohse S, Mertz M, Pietschmann I (2019) How ethics, law and philosophy of science can help make progress in the development and use of alternative methods. Communications. ALTEX 36(4):681
Mertz M, Jannes M (2016) "Digital Transformation - On the Future of Society". Conference report. Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics and Social Sciences of Health (ceres), 19.02.2016, Cologne
Genske A, Mertz M (2015) "Robot ethics - They are strong, smart, independent. And what will become of us?" Conference report. Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics and Social Sciences of Health (ceres) and Daimler and Benz Foundation, 24.11.2015, Berlin