Abortion and Euthanasia Flashcards
Women’s rights
Freedoms and liberties guaranteed to women in law.
Embryo
An unborn human baby (especially in the first eight weeks), after implantation but before the development of organs.
Foetus
An unborn human baby after eight weeks.
Primitive streak
The faint streak which is the earliest trace of the embryo in the fertilised ovum of a higher vertebrate, often regarded as day 14.
Viability
In the context of abortion, the point at which the developing foetus/child becomes capable of living outside the womb. A viable ovum/embryo is one that has the potential to develop into an adult organism.
Fertilised ovum
A female reproductive cell which has been fertilised by a male reproductive cell (sperm).
Consciousness
A state of being awake, aware of, or sensitive to one’s surroundings.
Personhood
The ethical quality or human condition which denotes a morally significant or valuable individual being.
Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the foetus develops outside the uterus.
Double effect
This is a doctrine devised to deal with moral conflicts in natural law theory. It says that it is always wrong to do a bad act intentionally in order to bring about good consequences, but it is permissible to do a good act while at the same time knowing that it will bring about bad consequences.
“Provided your intention is to follow the rule, you can ‘benefit’ from any unintended consequences.”
Liberty
Freedom.
Self-determination
The process by which a person controls and directs their life.
Hippocratic oath
An oath stating the duties and proper conduct of doctors.
Life is sacred
Has a special, holy value, beyond a material, exchangeable price.
Pastorally
Pastoral care is typically guidance, in the way of counselling, given by a religious figure.
