human ethical issues Flashcards
key dates in pregnancy
- 0 weeks: point of conception
- 12 weeks: dating scan to check the size of the foetus
- 21 weeks 5 days: point of viability in the UK
- 24 weeks: HFEA legal limit for an abortion
- 28 weeks: abortion act 1967, due to backstreet abortions
- 40 weeks: abortion can be allowed up until then if health is a risk to the mother or the baby
arguments for abortion
- the foetus is not a child so it is not murder
- lessens backstreet abortions so it decreases female deaths
- mothers rights are more important than the childs
- its for the good of the woman
- if the baby has a disability it could have a lower life quality if born
- lessens impact of doctors who block abortion due to personal feelings
arguments against abortion
- concerns that the foetus suffers during the abortion
- people are requesting abortions for unserious reasons (mild abnormalities)
- dont know how severe genetic disabilities are so could still have a good quality of life
- potential life has rights
value and use of embryos and foetus’
- embryos classed after 14 days after development, as they have a potential to split into identical twins
- at this time they gain their pre-emtive streak, where they gain their unique aspects
- can destroy potential life –> embroys ensouled after a certain period
- is removing a foetus because it will develop a genetic disease a good reason?
uses of embryos and foetus’ in medicine
IVF
- several eggs removed from the woman and fertilised in the lab before the most promising ones are reinserted
- for couples who have difficulty conceiving or same-sex couples
medical research
- 1990 human fertilisation + Embryology Act allows research on spare embryos from IVF treatment or embryos created specifically for treatment
- both sperm and egg donors must give consent for this research
PGD
- used if a child has a high risk of developing a severe genetic disorder
- IVF produces several embryos and one free from the disorder is used while the others are discarded
- cannot be used for designing a baby
- James watson: ethically irresponsible to continue natural reproduction when PGD exists to eradicate genetic defects
theraputic cloning
- stem cells used to make new brain cells to treat Parkinsons/rebuild bones and cartilage/replacement heart valves
- need cells from the same host to prevent rejection
- HFEA 2001 allowed genetic cloning
- problematic from a religious perspective as the embryo dies in the process
issues with designer babies
- what is perfect
- reduced diversity
- increased prejudice and discrimination in society
- unconditional love
active euthanasia
- carrying out an action to help someone help to die
passive euthanasia
- not carrying out an action that would preserve life
voluntary euthanasia
- helping a person who wishes to die to do so
non voluntary euthanasia
- helping a person to die against their wishes
involuntary euthanasia
- helping a person to die against their wishes
assisted suicide
- an individual is provided with the means to commit suicide
Uk law on euthanasia
- passive euthanasia legal since 1993 –> Tony Bland
- active euthanasia is against the law, even if the patient wants to die –> victim consent does not provide viable defence in the UK
- most recent euthanasia legal attempt was in 2006 but overuled by the HOL by 148-100
for euthanasia
- personal choice: liberty to choose belongs to the patient –> self determination, autonomy
- should have a way out when QOL deteriorates
- closure: family know they have the best possible death
- less risk of something going wrong if they are properly euthanised
- private act, the gov cannot intervene
- majority of the population in the UK agree to it
- inverted speciesism, peter singer: discriminate against other species, will put them down out to stop their misery, why not humans
- avoidance of pain, natural to avoid it due to benthams utilitarianism
- end of life care varies from place to place due to funding
- PVS: peter singer, are u a person in a vegetative state
- QALYS: resources in healthcare can be saved, as people who need intensive care simply end their lives
- restrictive laws cause negative impacts
against euthanasia
- sanctity of life –> destroying gods creation
- taking control of a situation that we have no jurisdiction
- self-determination and influence –> Abrahamic gods influence
- not private as another assists you
- majority agreed does not mean correct
- inverted speciesism: only ‘put down’ as palliative care cannot be given to animals
- life is about suffering, should not try to avoid
- pain = gods plan
- investment in palliative care instead of euthanasia
- slippery slope, disproportionate deaths
- doctor and patient: doc took hippo oath, element of trust
- QALYS: unjust as eldery pay the most taxes to health so should be able to use it
