medical ethics Flashcards
define sanctity of life
- the view that human life is sacred and of intrinsic value. As it is God-given
- Christian beliefs on the sanctity of life come from the revelation in the Bible, the use of reason (natural theology) and Church teaching,
Give biblical quotes that support sanctity of life
- “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness” Genesis 1
- “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” (Genesis 9)
- Thou shalt not commit murder
- Exodus 20 is seen as a deontological and absolute command that cannot be broken under any circumstances.
Describe strong vs weak sanctity of life
Strong: Absolutist approach where no one is allowed to intervene in God’s decree.
Weak: held by the Church of England. Occasions where death is permissible such as abortion in the case of a sick mother
Describe Schweitzer’s approach to sanctity of life
- developed a theory called “ reverence for life “ where we all should have a reverence for all forms of life , as all forms of life have a will to live
- Warren suggests that will is based upon the capacity to think, which many life forms do not have. She argues that we are all genetically built to promote our own survival but this is not deserving of reverence. Instead we should aim to protect the biological community for its own sake
Describe Glover’s critique of sanctity of life
- Glover rejects the idea that life has intrinsic value or that killing is intrinsically wrong. Instead, life is valuable as a “necessary vehicle for consciousness.”
- Life’s value depends on factors like self-awareness, the desire to live, and whether it offers worthwhile experiences.
Describe a utilitarian view on sanctity of life
- life is valuable if it offers pleasure and abides by the principle of utility
- life offers instrumental value
Evaluate the utilitarian view on sanctity of life
- allows for a relativist approach that recognises autonomy
weakness: - reductionist : pleasure is our only indicator.
Give singer’s view on sanctity of life
- “ to have a right to life , one must have the concept of having a continuous existence”
- a person is only valuable if they are rational and self aware
( potential eval : discriminating against those with disabilities)
What is the quality of life argument
- believes that value is only assigned to life based on its condition
Give Singer’s Case study used to argue for QOL
- a teacher was 24 weeks pregnant when she gave birth
Evaluate secular views on the value of life
- an increasing secular society would agree that human value does not come from a divine source
What is IVF ?
- an egg is removed from the women’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a lab.
- the embryo is then returned to the women’s womb to grow and develop
Give the main stages of IVF
- suppress your natural cycle
which boosts ur egg supply
Give the controversies associated with IVF
- Eugénics
Against the natural order
define personhood
- belongs to human beings, and repuerent a pair o euem etrat is deparate and dissinct fran biological life.