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Ethics > Medical Ethics > Flashcards

Medical Ethics Flashcards

1
Q

What is abortion?

A

The medically induced termination of pregnancy and removal of a foetus before birth

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2
Q

List the arguments for abortion (9)

A
  • In the instance of rape
  • If the mother’s life is at risk
  • If the child’s quality of life is compromised (eg. unplanned, unwanted, born into an economically/emotionally unstable household)
  • If it is illegal, more fatal backstreet abortions will still occur
  • It is a woman’s right to have control over her own body
  • It could limit the parents direction in life - If contraception fails
  • To prevent the spread of hereditary disease/disability
  • At conception, the foetus is just a combination of cells
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3
Q

What are the arguments against abortion? (7)

A
  • It is murder, a foetus is a person/viability begins at point of conception (infringement of the right to life)
  • A denial of the sanctity of life
  • Adoption is a possible alternative
  • Contradiction of the Hippocratic oath
  • Abortions can go wrong and threaten life further
  • Handicapped persons can still live happily
  • People should be responsible for their sexual activity
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4
Q

What is the Catholic Church’s view on abortion?

A

The Catholic Church opposes all forms of abortion since it holds the belief that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception”. Other than in the case of double effect, when the mother’s life is threatened.

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5
Q

What does the General Synod of the Church of England say about abortion?

A

“abortion is an evil…(but) in an imperfect world the ‘right’ choice is sometimes the acceptance of the lesser of two evils” - General Synod of the Church of England

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6
Q

What is the Society of Friend’s (Quakers) attitude to abortion?

A

The movement has difficulty finding a balance between the principle of non-violence, which could be used to argue against abortion, and the wish that women should be able to play a full part in society, which may justify abortion. In most circumstances the Quakers condone abortion because it is the most compassionate option.

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7
Q

How did the Westboro Baptist Church protest against abortion?

A

After a doctor who advocated late-term abortions was assassinated during a church service, 17 members of the WBC picketed outside his funeral service with signs that read “God sent the shooter”, “Abortion is bloody murder”, and “Baby Killer in Hell”.

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8
Q

Jeremiah 1:5?

A

“I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born, I selected you”

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9
Q

Which two prominent figures in the Christian church have spoken against abortion?

A

Mother Teresa and Pope Paul VI

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10
Q

What proportion of women in England and Wales will have an abortion during their lifetime?

A

1 out of 3

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11
Q

What two controversial questions are raised by the topic of abortion?

A

When does life/personhood begin? Pro-choice or pro-life?

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12
Q

Until what point during pregnancy is abortion permitted? (viability begins)

A

24 weeks

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13
Q

What is Euthanasia?

A

The gentle/painless killing of a person induced to relieve suffering, usually at a person’s request.

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14
Q

Articulate the arguments for euthanasia being legalised (6)

A
  • It prevents suffering and lessens pain. - Everyone has the right to a peaceful death - It would prevent prosecution for voluntary euthanasia - We should have the right to choose how we die - It is cheaper to let patients die than keep them alive on life-support machines. - The health you have in life is more important than the length.
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15
Q

What are the arguments against euthanasia being legalised? (5)

A
  • Doctors take the Hippocratic oath, murder is a crime - It is unnecessary when there are painkilling drugs. - When individuals are mute (eg. in a vegetative state) others might try to end their life, despite a chance of recovery - It would cause religious conflict - Legalisation could be abused, relatives and doctors could force people into it
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16
Q

Define compulsory euthanasia

A

The theory of enforcing euthanasia on people when they reach a degree of terminal illness or a certain age. No country has ever enforced this, other than Nazi Germany.

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17
Q

What is active euthanasia?

A

When a doctor prescribes medicine that will reduce a patients symptoms/suffering and induce death (eg. an overdose of painkillers).

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18
Q

Define passive euthanasia

A

Passive euthanasia occurs when the patient dies because the medical professionals either don’t do something necessary to keep the patient alive, or when they stop doing something that is keeping the patient alive (eg. switching off life-support machines).

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19
Q

What is involuntary euthanasia?

A

If a person is unable to express a wish to live/die or they explicitly state they would like to live but others implement their euthanasia, this is involuntary.

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20
Q

What did Professor Stephen Hawking say regarding euthanasia?

A

“We don’t let animals suffer so why humans”

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21
Q

The term used to describe when someone wishes/asks for euthanasia, usually due to a poor quality of life?

A

Voluntary euthanasia

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22
Q

What is the Hippocratic Oath and when did it originate?

A

A vow taken by doctors and physicians stating they will never harm patients and their aim is to preserve life. First established in the fifth century.

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23
Q

Case study: What was Sue Rodriguez’s (a mother in her early thirties) experience of Euthanasia?

A

She lived for several years with the knowledge that the condition she had would eventually cause all her muscles tissue to waste away and she would choke to death, fully conscious. Sue begged the courts to allow a doctor to choose her moment of death but she was denied this right. Rodriguez lived in terror but was eventually helped by a doctor in 1994 who broke the law to help her die in peace.

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24
Q

Case study: The Sunday London Times reported on Joan Smith in December of 1998, what was her experience of Euthanasia?

A

An accident left Mrs Smith in a coma but aware of what was going on around her. Whilst in this paralysed state, she heard her husband telling the doctors to turn the respirator she was relying on off because he did not want her to live under those circumstances. It was only her daughter’s persistence that allowed her treatment continue and Joan to make a full recovery. (The Sunday London Times, 15/12/98)

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25
Q

Define cloning

A

The process of making multiple copies of an organisms DNA sequence

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26
Q

What are the two different types of cloning?

A

Therapeutic and Reproductive

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27
Q

What is therapeutic cloning?

A

Also known as embryo cloning. Human embryos are produced so scientists can gather stem cells for research.

28
Q

What is reproductive cloning?

A

Used to produce a living organism that has the same DNA as another eg. Dolly The Sheep

29
Q

List the arguments for cloning (4)

A
  • Could be used for organ donation - Has advanced medical research - The technology could be used for increasing the numbers of endangered or extinct species - 20 years ago IVF was just as controversial, now it is accepted as a benefit to the medical world
30
Q

What are the arguments against cloning (4)?

A
  • The work is time consuming - Cloned animals often have defects - Human cloning in particular could be incredibly dangerous and poses lots of ethical dilemmas (eg. Never Let Me Go) - Cloned organisms usually aren’t strong enough to live in the wild
31
Q

How many attempts were there before Dolly The Sheep was created?

A

270

32
Q

Which Bible quote suggests that humans have ‘dominion’ over all other beings?

A

“fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over…every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28

33
Q

Define stewardship

A

A belief that God gave us the responsibility of a duty of care towards our environment and other living things.

34
Q

Psalm 24:1?

A

“The earth is the Lord’s”

35
Q

Christian views for cloning? (3)

A
  • Animal cloning is thought to be okay as we have dominion over them - Jesus himself was a healer and thus we have a responsibility to use his intelligence, advance medical science and continue his legacy - The Methodist church believe it is okay to use human embryos up until 14 days after fertilisation
36
Q

Christian opinions against cloning? (4)

A
  • It denies the sanctity of life and makes mortality seem like a commodity - Cloning is playing God, only he can rightfully give us life - We are created in the image of God, we should not try to imitate this - Once stem cells are “harvested”, the rest of the embryo is discarded and this eliminates its possibility for life (murder)
37
Q

Genesis 3:16?

A

“I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth”

38
Q

What is the Catholic Church’s stance on euthanasia?

A

It is resolutely pro-life and has condemned it in the same sentence as they did murder and genocide. They believe it is a “rejection of God’s sovereignty and loving plan” and that “suffering…has a special place in God’s saving plan”.

39
Q

How do the Church of England regard the legalisation of abortion?

A

They believe it’s “life threatening for society” and “terminally ill people may feel pressured” into it.

40
Q

The Methodist Church believe in what alternative to euthanasia?

A

The Church’s obligation to provide pastoral and medical care.

41
Q

What are the Salvation Army’s views on euthanasia?

A

It is wrong because it denies the sanctity of life, they believe that terminally/mentally ill persons should know “they will not be abandoned”.

42
Q

Give two examples where Euthanasia occurs in the Bible

A

Abiemelech asks to be put to death so he does not suffer the shame of having been killed by a woman (who dropped a stone on his head) King Saul disobeys God and asks a person to kill him because he’s not worth of ruling over the people, the person who kills him is later executed for doing so.

43
Q

What is fertility treatment?

A

The application of various methods to increase a woman’s/couple’s chances of conceiving a baby.

44
Q

Describe the process of IVF

A
  • Eggs removed from ovaries - Fertilised with the mans sperm in a lab - Grown into embryos and then inserted into the woman’s uterus
45
Q

Which Bible teaching would seemingly encourage fertility treatment of any kind?

A

“God said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply’”

46
Q

List three examples of infertility in the Bible

A
  • Isaac and Rebeca (he prayed and she conceived) - Abraham and Sarah - tried a surrogate mother - Rachel and Jacob “Give me children or I’ll die”
47
Q

Why might a Christian disagree with fertility treatment based on Bible teachings?

A

Life is pre-ordained and we are “selected by God”, we do not have the authority to countermand his judgement. Infertility might be a punishment God has chosen.

48
Q

What three reasons cause the Catholic Church to disagree with VF?

A
  • Spare embryos are created - A third party is involved - Children should be conceived through love (sex)
49
Q

Do the Church of England and Methodist church agree with fertility treatment?

A

Yes but the sanctity of the human embryo must be respected, the Methodist Church believe they can be used up to 14 days.

50
Q

Why might the life of Jesus cause Christians to agree with fertility treatment?

A

He was a healer, we should follow in his example.

51
Q

How much does a cycle of IVF cost?

A

Nearly £4000

52
Q

What percentage of IVF cycles were on the NHS in 2005?

A

25 percent

53
Q

What is the success rate for IVF?

A

32.2 percent

54
Q

Define vivisection

A

The testing of medical treatments on animals

55
Q

Name two organisations that oppose vivisection

A

The National Anti-Vivisection society

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

56
Q

What is dominion? Give the Bible teaching attached to it

A

The belief that humans are superior to animals and can use them for our own benefit “Have dominion over every living thing” - Genesis 1:28

57
Q

Why might a Christian disagree with the mistreatment of animals for our own gain?

A

Because they believe God created the world and everything in it is his, we should not mistreat God’s creation.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” - Psalm 24:1

58
Q

What is the concept of stewardship?

A

A Christian view that we have a duty of care towards our environment and all other living things

59
Q

What did St Francis of Assisi say with regards to the poor treatment of animals?

A

“If you have men who will exclude animals from the shelter of compassion, you have men who will deal likewise with fellow men”

60
Q

What are the two opinions the Church of England have expressed about vivisection?

A

We must exercise “responsible stewardship of the natural world” and “human beings have more value than animals”.

61
Q

What did Reverend Anne Wilkinson-Hayes say with regards to vivisection?

A

“Most baptists would be sympathetic to the use of vivisection”

62
Q

Which church said that “we do not own the world and its riches are not ours to dispose of at will”?

A

Society of Friends (Quakers)

63
Q

Outline an example of vivisection resulting in a succesful medical advance

A
  • Armadillos used in testing for vaccine against leprosy
  • Guinea pigs were used in discovering vitamin C, for testing vaccines for diptheria & tuberculosis, for research into replacement heart valves, kidney dialysis and antibiotics
  • Jellyfish have been used to create an effective anti venom and for research into cancer care
64
Q

Give five arguments for animal testing

A
  1. Helps researchers to find drugs and treatments
  2. Improves human health
  3. Helps ensure safety of drugs:
  4. Alternative methods of testing do not simulate humans in the same way
  5. A 2011 poll of nearly 1,000 biomedical scientists conducted by the science journal Nature found that more than 90% “agreed that the use of animals in research is essential.”
65
Q

List five arguments against vivisection

A
  1. Animals are killed or kept in captivity:
  2. Some substances tested, may never be used for anything useful
  3. It is very expensive
  4. Animals and humans are never exactly the same
  5. Alternative testing methods now exist that can replace the need for animals (such as in vitro testing whereby actual human cell cultures can be observed)

Ethics (4 decks)

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