Medial Ethics Flashcards
What is the Sanctity of Life?
The idea that life is a gift from God, therefore it is precious and deserves protecting and respect.
What is an abortion?
The ending of a pregnancy prematurely. It may happen naturally (often called a miscarriage) or through medical intervention.
What is the UK law regarding abortion?
2 doctors have to agree that the pregnant woman should have an abortion because:
*Continuing with the pregnancy would put the mother or any other children that she already has at risk.
*The foetus would be at severe risk of being born with a life limiting condition or a condition which would negatively and seriously impact upon its quality of life.
Abortions take place before 24 weeks except in cases where there is serious health risks.
Why might a woman have an abortion?
- Pregnancy is unplanned.
- Relationship may have broken down.
- Woman may feel she is too old/ young.
- Tests may show that the foetus would be born with a serious medical condition.
- Pregnancy might be the result of sexual abuse/ rape.
- Continuing with the pregnancy may cause harm to the woman.
What does the Roman Catholic Church think about abortion?
Life begins at conception, therefore abortion is taking away a human life and is murder.
In what situation might a Roman Catholic Christian believe an abortion is acceptable?
If the abortion is a consequence of another medical procedure (and is not the intention of the procedure). For example, a pregnant woman is found to have cancer and needs hysterectomy as part of her cancer treatment which would terminate the pregnancy. This is known as double effect.
“Before I formed you,…”
“…I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1.5)
What does it mean to say that life begins at conception?
That life begins at the moment that the sperm and the egg meet.
What is the law of “Double Effect”?
The Roman Catholic idea that an abortion/ euthanasia may happen if it is not deliberate but the side effect of some other, very necessary treatment.
Which Christians say that abortion is sometimes “ a necessary evil”?
Anglican Christians, Methodist Christians and Quaker Christians.
What does it mean to say that abortion is the “lesser of 2 evils.”
That abortion is never a happy choice, but there are circumstances where it might be better to have an abortion than to let the pregnancy continue.
Which Christian Church campaigned to make abortion legal as prior to the legalisation of abortion, many women died after having illegal “backstreet” abortions which were very dangerous?
The Methodist Church.
What is meant by the phrase “fertility treatments”?
A range of medical treatments that may be given to people who want to have children but are unable to conceive naturally but could conceive with medical help.
What different kinds of fertility treatments are there?
*Fertility drugs.
*Artificial Insemination.
*In Vitro Fertilisation.
*Egg donation.
*Freezing.
*Surrogacy
(Some of these treatments are used at the same time.
What is meant by Artificial Insemination?
When sperm is put inside a woman using medical help. They may use the husband’s sperm (AIH) or donor sperm (AID).
What is meant by In Vitro Fertilisation?
IVF is when eggs are taken from the woman (or a donor) and fertilised in a laboratory before one or more healthy embryos are placed in the woman’s body to grow in her uterus.
What is surrogacy?
When a woman carries a foetus for another couple.
Why do some Christians believe using fertility treatments is a good thing?
- All new life glorifies God.
- Using science to help people and enrich their lives.
- God tells people to have children.
- They might think that if they couldn’t have children, that they would want science to help them- the Golden Rule.
“Be fruitful and increase in number…”
“…fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
“So in everything, do to others…”
“…what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12- known as the Golden Rule.”