Ethics at the beginning of Life

Question 1

What are the two time lines for the termination pregnancy

Answer 1

Less than 14 weeks:
- surgical (manual or electric vacuum aspiration)
- medical
14 Weeks or more:
- surgical (vacuum aspiration or dilation and evacuation)
- medical

Question 2

what drugs are used in medical evacuation

Answer 2

Mifepristone, followed (24-48 hours later) by misoprostrol

Question 3

Abortion Act 1967

Answer 3

legalising abortions on certain grounds by registered practitioners, and regulating the tax-paid provision of such medical practices through the National Health Service (NHS).
STATUTORY DEFENCES INTRODUCED

Question 4

1929 Act of Parliament

Answer 4

Abortion was not a criminal act if it was performed in order to save the life of the mother.

Question 5

in regards to the Abortion Act 1967 (1990) what were the social grounds

Answer 5

The pregnancy has not exceeded the 24th week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family.

Question 6

under the Abortion Act 1967 (1990) what is the grave permanent injury clause

Answer 6

The termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

Question 7

under the Abortion Act 1967 (1990) what is the risk to life clause

Answer 7

The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

Question 8

under the Abortion Act 1967 (1990) what is the fetal deformity clause

Answer 8

There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

Question 9

when can females under the age of 16 acquire ToP without parental consent

Answer 9

if competent and able to understand risks and procedures involved

Question 10

Janaway v Salford Health Area Authority;

Answer 10

receptionist who refused to write abortion letters under the abortion act 1967, conscientious objection, however this was overruled as this clause referred to direct involvement in the procedure

Question 11

does a foetus have legal rights

Answer 11

No but does have a full moral status

Question 12

What are the four moral status’s of the embryo

Answer 12

1. Identity is important: the embryo is the same entity as the child will be (note: 14 days & twinning)
2. The embryo has the potential to be a person
3. Moral value is accorded when the embryo has the
   properties of a person
4. The embryo has value given by others (conferred moral
   status)

Question 13

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board v Coogan

Answer 13

catholic midwifes refused to do normal administrative duties under the abortion act 1967, conscientious objection, however this was overruled as this clause referred to direct involvement in the procedure

Question 14

What are some benefits of a medical abortion and downsides

Answer 14

• avoids surgery
• mimics miscarriage
• women controls the abortion and can be taken in the comfort of ones own home
• may require more clinic visits than the surgery route (think of costs to the NHS)

Question 15

what are the benefits of a surgical abortion

Answer 15

• quick procedure
• complete abortion is easily verified
• takes place in a safe healthcare facility
• small risk of uterine or cervical injury
• abortion is controlled by the provider

Question 16

what is defined as a safe abortion

Answer 16

trained worker using WHO method

Question 17

what is defined as a less safe abortion

Answer 17

trained worker using an unsafe method

Question 18

what is defined as a unsafe abortion

Answer 18

untrained individual using an unsafe method

Question 19

1861 offences against person act 58. 59.

Answer 19

prosecution in regards to abortion as well as the supply of the drugs to control abortion however there was statutory defences later added to by pass these

Question 20

what are the three considerations of antiabortion

Answer 20

• the foetus has a full moral Statius from the moment of conception or implantation
• there is a specific time point and change in moral status
• its a gradual process thus a more serious reason is needed as the time progresses towards brith

Question 21

example of deliberation over serious handicap

Answer 21

jepson v the cheif constable pf west Mercia police constabulary (2003)
cleft pallet

Question 22

example of a father trying to prevent an abortion (potential fathers rights)

Answer 22

Paton vs BPAS

amicus vs evans