Bioethics Flashcards
Outline the work of HFEA?
Human fertilisation & Embryology Authority is a government organisation which regulates developments in human reproductive technology
Has responsibility for licensing & monitoring clinics that carry out IVF
Provide relevant advice & info to patients, doctors & clinics
Closely monitors legislation on reproductive technology & embryo research
Outline benefits of IVF
Couple who have had difficulty conceiving can be helped
Same sex couples can have children through donor
Can be used to scan for hereditary diseases & can ensure only healthy embryos implanted
Surrogacy through IVF has helped couples to have kids who otherwise wouldn’t
Unlike adoption, a couple can have a biological child
How can IVF help a couple have a child?
In a clinic/laboratory, the egg & sperm placed into test tube or Petri dish to form embryos. 1 or more of these are implanted into mother’s womb
If quality or quantity of man’s sperm is poor, or if woman has difficulty producing eggs, then IVF can help to overcome problems
IVF also allows for donated sperm & eggs to be used if necessary
IVF treatment can help same sex couple have kid, through donated sperm/eggs & surrogate
Through screening, only healthiest embryos implanted
IVF can screen for hereditary diseases to prevent them being passed on or endanger pregnancy
IVF used in surrogacy process
What types of fertility treatments are there?
AIH (artificial insemination by husband) – procedure where sperm of male placed directly into uterus (womb) of female partner so fertilisation of ovum achieved.
AID (artificial insemination by donor) – procedure as with AIH, however sperm is provided by donor who is not woman’s partner.
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) – process where ovum fertilised outside woman’s body. ‘In vitro’ means ‘in glass’ - ie a petri dish or cell culture dish (not test tube)
What are the alternatives to fertility treatment?
Surrogacy - woman carries & gives birth to baby for another person or couple
Surrogate mother might be baby’s genetic mother if she provided ovum
Alternatively, she could be unrelated to the baby, eg if an already fertilised ovum or embryo was placed in her womb.
Adoption – a single person or couple take on legal responsibility for bringing up a child who was born to someone else
Arguments FOR fertility treatments?
Childlessness can cause distress to couples - AIH and IVF enable them to have children who are genetically theirs
Adopting a child isn’t same as having child who is genetic offspring of couple
IVF treatment can result in spare embryos - can be frozen & used later by couple to add to family
Act of kindness for person to donate egg or sperm to childless couple, or to be surrogate
Arguments AGAINST fertility treatments
AIH and IVF are unnatural - children should only be born from intimate relationship between man & woman
Childlessness distressing for some couples - there are other options, such as adoption
An embryo, however it is produced, is potential human being & shouldn’t be destroyed - some people may think this is murder
Some people regard life as starting at conception, therefore destroying or doing research on the embryo is unacceptable
Donating an egg or sperm or acting as surrogate introduces third person into relationship - some people think it’s adultery
Child born may experience distress/confusion about true identity - not enough yet known about effects & how they may be resolved
RCC says sex must be unitive & creative - IVF dissociates sexual act from pro creative act
What do churches teach about reproductive technology?
RCC:
supports view that marriage relationship should be open to children, but in way that’s in line with God’s intention for creation of new life
1Humans shouldn’t be created in laboratory
Processes which lead to destruction of embryos are immoral, as human life begins at conception
Possible introduction of third person into marriage relationship seen as adultery & wrong
COE:
Not against the use of IVF
However, Church expressed concern about whether treatment should be offered to same-sex couples & single women
In July 2003 General Synod affirmed sanctity of human embryo & need to treat it with profound respect
Synod recognised different views among Christians on the morality of embryo research
MC:
Believes it’s right for scientists to try learn more about causes & cures of infertility
Accepts use of ‘spare’ embryos in medical research, but only up to 14 days after fertilisation
What does the Bible teach able fertility?
“Do not commit murder”- Exodus 20: 13
For many Christians, taking of all human life is wrong. If life begins at conception, then destruction of ‘spare embryos’ seen as murder.
“You put me together in my mother’s womb” - Every human carefully put together by God in womb & known to God - unique creation doesn’t start to exist at birth, but when growing in secret in womb. Therefore life should be respected not destroyed
“I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations” - Jeremiah 1:5 - Shows how God knows each person & has plans for them from before they were born
CHRISTIAN arguments FOR fertility
AIH is form of fertility treatment many Christians support, particularly for married couples
It’s common for more than one embryo to be produced by IVF, & for some to be left over. Embryos can be frozen for use at later date by couple. Couple may give consent for spare embryos to be used for research or be destroyed within 14 days (according to UK law). Church of England & Methodist Church support this view
Use of donor egg or sperm considered acceptable by some Christians, whether donor is anonymous or known to couple, eg sibling. Donation is compassionate act to help fellow human being. They may also agree surrogate mother might be used to carry child, as long as not done for money
CHRISTIAN arguments AGAINST fertility
Fertility treatment unnatural. Children should be born as part of intimate relationship between man & woman. They may say it’s God’s will if couple doesn’t have children
Some Christians believe unwanted embryos shouldn’t be destroyed as they’re potential human beings and/or because they believe life begins at conception. Roman Catholic & many evangelical churches take this view. RCC teaches embryos have right to be respected as person from conception
Some Christians don’t agree with donation of sperm or egg - introducing 3rd person to relationship & like adultery, forbidden by Ten Commandments. Against surrogacy for the same reasons
Why do Christians think life is sacred?
God made man “in his own image”
Life gift from God - “you knit me together in mother’s womb”
God has plan for everyone - “I chose you before I gave you life”
