Medical Ethics Flashcards
What does Sanctity of Life mean?
Life is sacred
Give 3 quotes from Genesis about the soul
‘Breath of life’; ‘image of God’; ‘male and female he created them’
What did St. Paul say in 1 Corinthians about the body which can be used for Christian beliefs about the sanctity of life?
“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”
Give a teaching about the sanctity of life from Exodus
“You shall not murder” ~ Exodus 20:13
What quotes can be used on the sanctity of life from Psalm 139? (2)
“You knit me together in my mother’s womb”
“You saw me before I was born”
What does the Evangelium Vitae 2 say on the sanctity of life?
“… life on earth … remains a sacred reality”
What is a clone?
A genetically identical organism to another
How is human reproductive cloning generally treated?
It is almost totally banned
What is therapeutic cloning?
The reprogramming of single cells to create stem cells which could grow into any type of cell
What does therapeutic cloning use?
Embryos left over from IVF
What do many believe about therapeutic cloning?
It is unnatural and is ‘playing God’
Why may christians be in favour of therapeutic cloning? (3)
Agape
Golden Rule
Stewardship~ help to care for God’s creation
Why would RCs be against therapeutic cloning (sanctity of life)
They believe in life at conception
Why would RCs be against cloning to produce offspring?
It separates the two functions of sex
It separates procreation from the sexual act
What does Donum Vitae say on cloning?
“Medical research must refrain from operations on live embryos”
What is abortion?
The termination of a foetus in the womb before birth
What could you use from the book of Jeremiah to be a reason to be Pro-Life?
‘I chose you… before you were born’ Jeremiah 1:4-5
What could you use from genesis to oppose abortion?
Soul
‘Image of God’; ‘breath of life’ ~ sanctity of life
What St. Paul quote from 1 Corinthians could you use for Pro-Life?
“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”
What is the Visitation?
When Mary was pregnant she went to visit the mother of John the Baptist who was pregnant with John at the time. John jumps with joy when Mary appears because he is in the presence of the Messiah. This shows babies are capable of thinking and feeling and praising God even before birth and therefore deserve to live.
What did Jesus teach about the weakest in society?
They should be protected
What does the CofE say on abortion?
It is ‘a great moral evil’
What John quote could you use for Pro-Choice?
“I came so that you could have life and have it to the full”
When would any church accept abortion?
In the case of double effect
What do Methodists believe about abortion?
It is always evil but is sometimes the lesser evil
What do Quakers believe about abortion?
They’re pacifists and they believe abortion is violence so are against it. However, they do not force their opinions on anyone else
What quote from Genesis can you use for Animal Testing?
‘Rule over the fish of the sea..’
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say on animal testing?(2)
‘Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is morally acceptable… if it… contributes to… saving lives’
‘We owe them kindness’
What does the Church of England say on animal testing?
What did the ex-Archbishop say on it?
‘Human beings have… an obligation to animals’
‘Lack of respect for the life and well being of an animal must bring with it the lowering of man’s own self-respect’
What did John Woolman say about animals?
‘The flame of life was kindled in all animals and sensitive creatures’
What would Quakers say on the topic of animal testing?
‘Let the law of kindness known no limits’
What did Francis of Assisi say?
Animals had ‘the same source as [himself]’
What is said in Acts which could be used in favour of animal testing?
God commanded Peter to ‘Kill and Eat’ ~ shows animals are here to serve human needs
Do most Christians believe animals have a soul?
Why?
No
Humans were made ‘in the image of God’ and given the ‘breath of life’. Animals were not
What was Adam allowed to do in Genesis which gave him dominion over animals?
God allowed him to name the animals
Why can you mention stewardship in an essay on animal rights?
Animals are part of god’s creation and should therefore be protected and respected
What is the main reason the RCC is against Fertility Treatment?
It leaves spare embryos which are either tested on or destroyed. This is seen as cruel because the RCC teaches that life begins at conception and it is breaking the commandment “Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13)
What happened to Hannah?
She was barren because ‘The lord had closed her womb’ but she prayed and the lord gave her a child
Why are the RCC against egg and sperm donors?
It introduces a third person into the relationship which is seen as adultery (“Do not commit adultery” ~ Exodus 20:14)
What other reasons are the RCC against Fertility Treatment?
It separates the two functions of sex
Children are gifts not rights
What does the CofE believe about IVF?
They accept it as a celebration of life and allow embryo experimentation for up to 14 days
Why might a Christian be in favour of IVF? (4)
It brings happiness to a couple
Golden Rule
Agape
Helps obey God’s command: ‘Go forth and multiply’
Why might an atheist be against FERTILITY Treatment
Some think homosexual couples, women past their menopause, and single women should not have children as it is unnatural
Some are uncomfortable with the fact a man can father 10 children but have no responsibility for them
How was suicide viewed in the past?
It was looked down upon because you had ‘murdered’ yourself which was the ultimate sin as it disrespected the gift of life and broke the commandment “Do not kill”
How is suicide now viewed?
As a result of great unhappiness
Why may some Christians still judge those who commit suicide?
It is a denial of hope and of God’s power
“I am willing” ~ the Man with Leprosy - Jesus can cure sickness even mental illness and he wants to heal people and for them not to give up
Why may a Christian say you should not kill yourself?
Mark’s Gospel states:
‘None of us die for himself alone’
1 Corinthians: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”
Why should a Christian not judge someone who committed suicide? (3)
‘Let he who is without sin throw the first stone’ (John 8, Woman Caught in Adultery) you shouldn’t judge others, even if you do believe it is sinful
Agape
Golden Rule
How might a Christian help a suicidal person?
Offer support, recommend counselling, prayers, listening, recommend they talk to the Samaritans.
What does euthanasia literally mean?
‘Good death’ in Greek
What does the Evangelium Vitae say on euthanasia?
It is ‘… a grave violation of the law of God’
How do the CofE and Orthodox churches view euthanasia?
They oppose it
Why may an atheist oppose euthanasia?
It may mean the old and disabled eventually become seen as burdens and may feel pressured into euthanising themselves?
What quote from John could you use in favour of euthanasia ?
‘I came so that you could have life and have it to the full’ ~ John 10:10
Which commandment could you use to oppose euthanasia?
But…
“Do not murder” ~ Exodus 20:13
This could be seen as just referring to unlawful killing so if euthanasia was legal it wouldn’t be breaking the commandment
When would the RCC accept euthanasia?
In the case of Double Effect - e.g. if a doctor increased the morphine dosage to reduce the patient’s pain but they end up dying of an overdose. The aim was to relieve pain, not hasten death.
What teaching means humans are sacred so killing someone is always wrong?
The sanctity of life
Humans have a soul ~ ‘breath of life’, ‘image of God’ etc.
What is voluntary euthanasia?
When someone requests death ~ ‘assisted suicide’
What is involuntary euthanasia?
When someone else decides to euthanise the patient e.g. In the case of a coma victim
What is active euthanasia?
When direct action is take to kill someone. This is illegal
What is passive euthanasia?
When you stop the treatment and the patient dies - when you ‘switch them off’
What do baptists believe about euthanasia?
They sometimes allow passive euthanasia but believe in the sanctity of life
What are the Quakers’ view on euthanasia?
They have no united opinion but they believe the most loving action is the right action
What quote could you use from JRR Tolkien in opposition to euthanasia?
“Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give them that?”
We cannot give life so we should not take it either
Where could patients go instead of euthanising?
What is an example of this and who set it up?
A hospice where they can die peacefully without feeling like they are a burden
St. Joseph’s Hospice, set up by Cicely Saunders
What does agape mean?
Selfless/ universal love
What 3 cases do the CofE allow abortion?
1) if the child is disabled
2) if it’s a product of rape
3) double effect
