Judaism Bioethics

Question 1

basics

Answer 1

do not kill
life is valuable in itself 
life belongs to god
duty to save and protect
death is a part of life

Question 2

abortion

Answer 2

unborn is protectable although it is not fully human

potential

first 40 days - “mere fluid”

not permitted without justification

Question 3

justification for abortion

Answer 3

mother’s life in peril
disability reducing quality of life
fetus is a rodef - pursuer

“who destroys one life is as if he destroyed the whole world”

“do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour”

Question 4

euthanasia

Answer 4

eugenic - me before you
active - hastened by medical treatment
passive euthanasia - therapy is withheld

only loop hole - life support systems

“thou shalt not murder”

Question 5

genetic engineering

Answer 5

tay sachs

ethical treatment
preserve life by healing sick by performing pre implementation in womb (mere fluid)

can’t alter life for preference or subjective

permissible if it makes world a better place without any counter balance or ill effects