Reproductive Medicine And Children Flashcards
What are the arguments for IVF?
People have procreative autonomy
What are the ethical arguments against IVF?
Involves the destruction of embryos, considered to have moral status of person by some groups, therefore “it does harm”
Causes harm to those trying to conceive, both psychological and physical
Unnatural form of conception
‘Right to an open future’ if parents intentionally select an embryo with a physical impairment
IVF is expensive and places a burden on the state to provide care for the future child
What is the ‘right to an open future?’
The rights of the future child to a future as an adult with as much autonomy and options as possible in adulthood, which is the obligation of a parent to not limit this.
What is the legislation for IVF?
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, which states that welfare criterion of the future child is the utmost priority that limits the provision of fertility children to women, which includes the need of the future child for a father.
What are the critiques of the Human Embryology Act 1990?
Fertile couples are not required to meet this criterion in order to have a child
Research suggests that a father is not always required for a child to flourish
What is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis?
Creating genetic profile of embryo prior to implantation. This can be used by parents for avoiding genetic disease but is used for sex selection, intelligence/designer babies or saviour siblings to provide a source of stem cells for haematopoietic transplant.
What is MRT?
Mitochondrial replacement therapy, which is a form of three-person IVF, where a donor mitochondrial DNA is provided to the egg to form a healthy embryo with the use of sperm.
This technique promotes the health benefits of the future child and benefits to parents hoping to conceive without the a risk of passing on genetic disorders.
What are the ethical issues with mitochondrial replacement techniques?
It can be considered a form of genetic modification and promotion of eugenics
Poses possible health risks to the future child due to cases of children born using the technique with genetic disorders
Identity issues due to the creation of a third parent providing mitochondrial DNA which can remain anonymous
What are the ethical arguments for conscientious objection?
Being a doctor is a vocation and they have personal beliefs and moral integrity that they should maintain for their autonomy
What are the ethical arguments against conscientious objection?
Doctors have a duty to provide care to patients based on their preferences
Delays the care that a patient will receive and they may have less information
In what situations can conscientious objection not be applied?
Emergency situations where the health of the patient is at risk
Should not be discriminatory against groups or lifestyle choices
Referral is not possible or timely
Post-abortion care
What is the obligations for conscioentious objection?
Doctors should make it clear to patients through writing or verbally the refusal to provide a service
Should not apply judgement to the patient
Signpost patient to another practitioner who offers the treatment
Ensure the patient has enough information to see another doctor who does not have a conscientious objection
