2 - Euthanasia & genetic engineering

Question 1

what is active voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 1

Mercy killing at the person’s request

Question 2

What is passive voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 2

Letting the person die at the person’s request

Question 3

what is active non-voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 3

Mercy killing without the person’s consent

Question 4

what is passive non-voluntary euthanasia

Answer 4

Letting the person die without her consent

Question 5

what is a synonym for euthanasia?

Answer 5

physician-assisted dying

Question 6

What is the main argument put forward in Rachel’s reading on Active and Passive euthanasia?

Answer 6

There is a moral difference between active and passive euthanasia to the point that one is sometimes permissible while the other is always forbidden

1. Active euthanasia may be in many cases more humane than passive euthanasia
2. The conventional doctrine leads to considerations of life and death based on irrelevant grounds
3. The doctrine that rests on the distinction between killing and letting die has no moral importance (refutes Tooley’s symmetry)
4. Most common argument of the doctrine is invalid

Question 7

What does Rachel claim is the main diff between active and passive euthanasia

Answer 7

doctor’s presence

Question 8

what is the diff between active and passive euthanasia regarding the cause of death?

Answer 8

In active euthanasia, technically the doctor injecting a lethal dose to the patient is the cause of death while for passive euthanasia, the patient’s death is a result of the disease they have

Question 9

What are the main arguments put forward in the Harris reading on Consent and end-of-life decisions”?

Answer 9

Harris argues that ending a person’s life is only ethical if and only if that individuals consents to having their life ended

In very rare and extreme cases where the person cannot consent but not ending their life would be extremely cruel as they inevitably suffer and this cannot be prevented, then ending their life would also be ethical

When the situation deals with non-person’s such as abortion or individuals in a vegetative state, then such decisions are governed by the ethics of ending the lives of non-persons

Question 10

what does Harris argue to be the two distincitive dimensions of respect for persons?

Answer 10

1. respect for autonomy →Ability to choose and have freedom, connected to individuality
2. concern to welfare → Condition that allows autonomy to flourish, life becomes unique

Question 11

what is the only problem w dying, according to Harris?

Answer 11

Harris argues the only problem with dying is when an individual does not want to die. If an individual wants to die then they have every reason to choose death.

Essentially, the harm of killing a person depends on whether or not that person values their life

Question 12

how is physician assisted suicide distinct from euthanasia?

Answer 12

The physician doesn’t physical administer the drug etc, they just provide it and the person does it to themselves (hence, suicide)

Question 13

where is voluntary euthanasia legal?

Answer 13

Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

Question 14

Where is physician assisted suicide legal?

Answer 14

Switzerland, Germany, Canada

Question 15

What is the Nancy B case?

Answer 15

In 1992 the Quebec superior court ruled that a competent, adult patient suffering from an incurable disease and bedridden for life had the right to request that her doctor disconnect the respirator keeping her alive

Question 16

What is the Sue Rodriguez v BC case?

Answer 16

In 2003, the supreme court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not include the right to obtain physician assisted suicide

Question 17

What is Bill 52?

Answer 17

2014 Quebec act for respecting end-of-life case

Question 18

what is Carter v Canada?

Answer 18

In 2015, the supreme court of Canada ruled unanimously that the law banning assisted suicide was unconstitutional

Question 19

What are the necessary and sufficient conditions for euthanasia?

Answer 19

o The person has made an active and voluntary request to end his/her life (consent)
o It is thought that they have sufficient mental capacity to make an informed decision regarding their care (autonomy)
o It is agreed that the person is suffering unbearably and there is no prospect for an improvement in his/her condition (the level worth continuing to live)

Question 20

What are the necessary conditions and safeguards in Canada?

physician-assisted suicide

Answer 20

1. Two independent witness about the request
2. Two independent medical opinions about “grievous and irremediable” medical conditions
3. 10-day waiting period
4. Informed about palliative care
5. Express consent required right before death

Question 21

what are the three categories of genetic technology?

Answer 21

o Genetic screening (risk assessment)
o Genetic treatment (restore normal level of species function)
o Genetic enhancement

Question 22

what is genetic screening?

Answer 22

o Preventive intervention from genetic test
o Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) (avoid disabilities)
o Non-invasive prenatal blood test and amniotic fluid test

Question 23

what are the rates of abortion after AFTs and NIPTs identificying trisomy 21 in unborn child?

Answer 23

UK (90%), Denmark (98%), France (77%), US (67%), Canada (90%)

Question 24

what is eugenics?

Answer 24

“improving” genetic quality of a population - nazi holocaust, isolation of leprosy patients in Japan until 1996

Question 25

What is Jeff McMahan’s main argument about the wrongness of having a child with disability?

Answer 25

It is wrong to cause an already born child to become disabled
It is wrong to cause a future child to be disabled through the infliction of prenatal injury
Therefore, it is wrong to cause a disabled child to exist.

Conclusion: Therefore if prenatal screening detects a disability in the fetus, the fetus must be aborted

McMahan ends off however by stating that he thinks it is morally and strategically better for disabled people and their advocates to focus their efforts on positive proposals such as the ones of parents proposing a cure for disabilities over stigmatizing and seeking to restrict or suppress practices such as screening and selection

Question 26

What is a response to McMahan’s argument about the “morality of screening for disability”?

Answer 26

Disability is not a loss in any respect of QoL (quality of life) (the mere difference view)
- Disability is merely a difference not a disadvantage
- It is a difference such as people have different hair colours

Question 27

what moral distinction does rachel make between active and passive euthanasia?

Answer 27

He argues that there is no significant moral difference between the two, and in some cases, active euthanasia may be more humane than passive euthanasia.

Question 28

what is the smith and jones example in the rachel reading?

Answer 28

Rachels uses another hypothetical scenario involving two men, Smith and Jones, who both stand to gain a large inheritance if their six-year-old cousin dies. Smith actively drowns the cousin, while Jones plans to do the same but finds the cousin already drowning and passively allows him to die. Rachels points out that morally, there is no difference between Smith’s and Jones’s actions, suggesting a parallel to active and passive euthanasia.

Question 29

what are Harris’ thoughts on (informed) consent?

Answer 29

He argues that consent is a fundamental principle that respects individual autonomy and the right to self-determination. In the context of end-of-life decisions, consent is crucial in legitimizing actions that would otherwise be considered morally and legally problematic.
He emphasizes that true consent must be informed, voluntary, and given by a competent individual. In end-of-life decisions, ensuring that patients fully understand the implications of their choices is essential for ethical decision-making.

Question 30

what are Harris’ thoughts on Tooley’s symmetry?

Answer 30

Harris questions the moral distinction between killing (active euthanasia) and letting die (passive euthanasia). He suggests that the intention behind the action (i.e., to end suffering) is morally more significant than the method used.

Question 31

what is the slippery slope argument often used against legalising euthanasia?

Answer 31

This argument posits that allowing these practices will lead to a gradual erosion of moral standards, potentially leading to non-consensual euthanasia. Harris counters this argument by emphasizing the importance of robust legal safeguards and ethical oversight.

Question 32

why are prenatal screenings an ethical concern selon McMahan?

Answer 32

He acknowledges that while such screening can provide important information for prospective parents, it also raises significant moral questions, particularly regarding the value of lives with disabilities and the choices made based on screening results.

Question 33

what is a main argument against prenatal screening (McMahan)?

Answer 33

This viewpoint holds that screening and the subsequent decision to terminate a pregnancy based on the likelihood of a disability devalue the lives of people living with disabilities. It suggests that such practices imply that lives with disabilities are less worth living or less deserving of resources.

Question 34

what is the main agrument for screening?

Answer 34

this is often grounded in the concept of prospective parental responsibility. From this perspective, if parents have the opportunity to prevent a life of suffering or significant disadvantage for their future child, they may have a moral obligation to do so. This argument focuses on the quality of life for the child and the responsibilities of parenthood

Question 35

how does the non-identity problem complicate moral judgement about screenings and abortions?

Answer 35

his problem arises in the context of prenatal screening because the decision not to bring a potentially disabled child into existence does not harm that particular child, since, in the absence of that decision, the child would not exist at all.

Question 36

what are 5 objections to genetic enhancement?

Answer 36

1. playing god,
2. genetic discrimination,
3. the perfect child and loss of the mystery of life,
4. against human nature,
5. enhancement is self-defeating

Question 37

how does savulesu account for the difference between treatment and enhancement?

Answer 37

• enhancement is to put u above average in a certain area
• in most cases, treatments are publicly funded but enhancement (ie cosmetic surgery) isnt, although both made by medical doctors

Question 38

what is Savulescu’s principle of procreative beneficence?

Answer 38

parents have a significant moral reason to select, out of possible children they could have, the one who is expected to lead the best life, based on the relevant, available information. This principle forms the foundation of his argument in favor of genetic enhancement.

Question 39

what is Savulescu’s view on enhancement?

Answer 39

we have a moral obligation to enhance the people around us. He suggests that if parents can improve their future children’s chances of having the best life possible, they should do so. This obligation extends beyond preventing harm to enhancing abilities and traits that contribute to a better life.

Question 40

How does Savulesco distinguish between therapy and enhancement?

genetics

Answer 40

Genetic therapy = correcting disabilities or diseases

Genetic enhancement = improving normal functions

He challenges this distinction, arguing that the line between therapy and enhancement is often blurred and that both can be morally permissible and desirable under certain circumstances.

Question 41

what are some ethical and societal implications of genetic enhancement?

Answer 41

concerns about inequality, the potential for a genetic “arms race,” and the societal pressure to enhance. However, he argues that these issues can be addressed through regulation and by ensuring fair access to genetic technologies.

Question 42

what is transhumanism

Answer 42

actively promoting genetic enhancement