Legal issues of birth and death Flashcards
What is a live birth
When a fetus exits maternal body and shows any sign of life
full term is 38-42 weeks, preterm is before 37 weeks
What is a miscarriage
Spontaneous loss of pregancy before 24 weeks gestation
What is a stillbirth
Born fter 24 weeks regnancy and did not show any signs of life after complete expulsion
What is the legal status of the fetus
Does not acquire any legal rights until it is capable fo surviving independently from its mother. Even refers to right to refuse treatment
How must a birth be registered
Within 42 days, if parents are in a civil partnership at time of birth/conception, either mother or father can register on their own
What is parental responsibility
all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authorities which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property
Includes informed consent from one parent
Who has parental responsibility?
Birth mothers, and father married to mother at time of birth.
Who can gain parental responsibility at a later stage
Unmarried fathers, adoptive parents
Who in particular do not have parental responsibility
Foster parents, staff from childrens residential establishments
Are surragocy arrrangements legally enforcements
no
Who has parental responsibility during surrogacy
Legal mother of the child unless parenthood is transferred to intended parents. Husband of surrogate also has PR.
How can partners gain PR if not genetically related to thechild
adoption - Parental order cannot be obtained
What is euthanasia
a gentle and easy death; …the action of bringing about such a death, esp. of a person who requests it as a release from incurable disease.
Are all forms of euthanasia seen as murder by the law
yes
What is suicide
The act of intentionally ending ones life
Is suicide an offence
no but encouraging it is
WHat is death
the irreversible loss of the capacity for consciousness, combined with the irreversible loss of the capacity to breathe’.
What is brainstem death
the irreversible cessation of the integrative function of the brain stem equates with death….and allows the medical practitioner to diagnose death
Why are post mortems done
Coroner to find cause of death, or hospital/family agree for medical science
What is a medical certificate of cause of death
Document enabling death registration, explanation, and informs research
Who certifies death
Dr who last attended patient (within 14 days), caring during illness, must be familiar. If not for any, must be referred to coroner
What must be avoided on a cause of death certificate
“old age”, “natural causes”, “organ failure” on their own, or other vague terms
WHen does a coroner get involved?
Unknown identity, no attending doctor to complete MCCD, violece/trauma/injury, self harm, neglect, medical treatment, employment related injury, poisoning, toxic substances
Death in custody, suicide, medicinal products including psychoacitve. Unnatural deahts
Name some non-violent unnatural deahts
medical treatment, employment and asbestosis
