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.
Describe Locke’s view
- sentience
- reciprocity is what defines personhood
Define abortion
- deliberate termination of pregnancy
see doc for evaluation of embryo research , PGD
Give Vardy’s critique of the Doctrine of Double effect when applied to abortion
- an ectopic pregnancy can be resolved either through the removal of fallopian tubes + use a laser to abort the foetus.
- in both situations, the mother lives and the foetus dies but DDE suggests to remove fallopian tubes
- this is clearly not the right thing to do
CA: Also goes against the preservation of life as removal of FT prevents further pregnancies
Describe Rachels view on the DDE
- can only accept the DDE if you think there is a difference between foreseeing something and intending to do it
Describe Warren’s view on abortion
- abortion is necessary not only to prevent illegal backstreet abortion but is essential for the health and well being of women.
- w/o abortion there is limited education / no reproductive autonomy/ no human rights life
Give the Christian perspective on abortion
- “ he gives life to the dead and calls us existence the things that did not exist” - Romans 4:17
- “Thus the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground” Genesis 2
- “ For you formed my inward parts” you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” ( Psalms 139)
Give David Smith’s principles of abortion
1) God alone is Lord of life and death ( Psalm 139 Catechism)
2) Human have no right to take life ( 10 commandments)
3) Human life begins at conception ( Catechism)
4) Abortion at any stage is the murder of an innocent.
Give Christian views on abortion
Episcopal Church:
- pro choice
- oppose government action that a limit a women’s right to choose
Church of England:
- believe bible is up for interpretation
- believe that’s context influenced the writing of the Bible.
Evaluate the relevance and application of religious teachings and beliefs on medical ethics
- allows for respect of life
CA: too strict for life , lack of relativity
Give the different types of euthanasia
- active: carrying out some action to help someone die ( lethal injection) illegal
- passive: stopping actions which are prolonging life ( life support withdrawn)
- indirect : provides pain relief whuch has the side effects of hastening death
Give the factors to consider approaching death
Give two differing views on euthanasia
- Hippocrates: “ I will not prescribe a deadly drug to please someone , not give advice that may cause his death”
- Bacon: “ physicians are not only to resolve the health, but to mitigate pain” - duty to quality of life.
Give the Case Study of Tony Bland
- Body is able to breathe but not respond
Describe Rachel’s Views on Euthanasia
- if you passively let someone drown. Then’ one action is morally as bad as actively
Give religious views on euthanasia
- catholics oppose E
Describe the Protestant views
- C OF e believes doctors have a duty to protect life but also believe in exercising compassion.
Describe palliative care
- specialized medical care focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses.
It aims to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and emotional distress, rather than to cure the underlying condition.
