T2 L4 The moral status of the embryo

Question 1

Why do we need to consider the moral status of the embryo?

Answer 1

Unresolved moral debates over the significance and status of the human embryo
Views on this issue link to views on other ethical issues e.g. abortion, cloning, stem cell research
Debates are political, personal, national and individual
Area of science and medicine is rapidly expanding so new issues are constantly arising

Question 2

What common questions should be asked when considering the moral status of the embryo?

Answer 2

When does life begin?
When does life become morally significant?
What makes life morally significant?

Question 3

What is the main point for doctors in the abortion act?

Answer 3

No person is under any duty to participate in treatment authorised by this Act to which he has a conscientious objection

Question 4

What issues were discussed in the committee of inquiry into human fertilisation and embryology?

Answer 4

Ethical status of emerging reproductive techniques
Donation, freezing and use of eggs, embryo and sperm
Surrogacy
Research

Question 5

Why is the recommended limit for embryo research 14 days?

Answer 5

Period of time when twinning can occur

Before the primitive streak forms and gastrulation occurs

Question 6

What is the utilitarian view on moral status?

Answer 6

Having moral status means that one’s interests (extent, duration of pleasures / pains) must be factored into the utility calculations of other peoples / society as a whole

Question 7

What is the non-utilitarian view on moral status?

Answer 7

Having moral status means there are reasons, independent of the consequences, for treating an entity with respect and acting in its interests

Question 8

What is Warnock’s position?

Answer 8

No particular part of the developmental process is more important than another
Unless each stage takes place normally, at the correct time and in the correct sequence, further development will cease
Biologically, there isn’t 1 single identifiable stage in the development of the embryo beyond which the in vitro embryo shouldn’t be kept alive

Question 9

Describe life as a continuum

Answer 9

Conception –> individuation –> primitive streak –> quickening –> security of pregnancy –> viability –> birth –> personhood

Question 10

Describe the biological humanity view

Answer 10

We have moral status as we are human
What counts as human life and when does it start? It can’t just be human DNA otherwise every individual cell in our body would qualify. Also not the moment of conception as this is lengthy and complex

Question 11

Describe the personhood view

Answer 11

Mary Elizabeth Warren
Persons have:
-sentience
-rationality
-capacity for moral agency
-language

Embryos lack these features

Question 12

What is sentience?

Answer 12

Capacity for feeling or perceiving

Question 13

What is rationality?

Answer 13

Quality of being based or in accordance with reason or logic

Question 14

What is capacity for moral agency?

Answer 14

Ability to make moral judgements based on notion of right or wrong

Question 15

Why is personhood not a valid view?

Answer 15

It would exclude many individuals such as infants, severely disabled or those in a coma

Question 16

Describe the interests view

Answer 16

Joel Feinberg
Interest principle - rights are intended to protect interests
Interests involve having stakes in things
To have interests, an entity must be sentient to have the capacity for having experiences

Question 17

Why can’t an embryo be sentient?

Answer 17

It has no nervous system so it has no awareness or experience

Question 18

Describe the future like ours view

Answer 18

Don Marquis
Interest view fails as it can’t explain why killing a person in a temporary coma is wrong
An embryo or foetus can’t take interest in anything but it does have an interest in living out its life
Unlike an embryo we have interests which should be respected, even if we aren’t fully conscious of them

Question 19

Does the embryo have a moral status according to human biology?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

Does the embryo have a moral status according to personhood?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Does the embryo have a moral status according to interests?

Answer 21

No

Question 22

Does the embryo have a moral status according to future like ours?

Answer 22

Questionable

Question 23

What are some perspectives on mitochondrial donation?

Answer 23

Future generations as mitochondrial transplant will affect the children of the babies born as a result of the donation
Designer babies
Religious opposition due to destruction of donor embryos
Cost

Question 24

What is Robert Winston’s view on mitochondrial donation?

Answer 24

It’s similar to transfusing RBC in severe anaemia
If mitochondrial treatments can prevent diseases then this needs to be celebrated
We aren’t altering a child’s characteristics of enhancing humans in any way.

Question 25

What are some considerations for practice?

Answer 25

Have a right to conscientiously object to participating in many legal medical services relating to fertility. Can't abandon patient so must refer to an alternative provider Need to be aware of the law Need to manage relationships with colleagues who don't share the same view Need to manage relationships with patients regardless of views