Abortion & Euthanasia

Abortion & Euthanasia

1. Abortion

   • The Value of Potential and Real Life
     • To my mind life begins at the moment of conception. Conception is the magic moment." John Grigg.
     • "What could ever be sufficient reason for excusing in any way the direct murder of the innocent?" Pope Pius XI
     • "I believe human life begins at birth." Dee Wells.
   • When is a foetus a person?
     • CONCEPTION- From the moment of conception a foetus has the potential to develop into a completely unique human being. In 1869, Pope Pius XI, declared that life begins at conception.
       • Critics say that a fertilsed egg is too different to what we know as human to be considered human. Judith Jarvis Thompson accepts that there is continuous foetal growth, however there has to be a point when an ovum isn't a person. An acorn is not considered to be an oak tree.
     • PRIMITIVE STREAK- 2 weeks after conception, the primitive streak develops. This is the structure from which the embryonic structures will organise and align themselves. Up until this point, it is unclear how many babies will develop and it becomes clear which cells will become foetal cells and which will become placenta cells. Thompson says that it is a stretch to consider this a human.
     • CONSCIOUSNESS- This may be suggested as the definition of personhood, despite the fact that it cannot apply to all tissues and does apply to animals, so isn't specifically human. Nonetheless, babies have consciousness and not many would argue that killing a baby is not the same thing as killing a person.
     • VIABILITY- This is the point at which the foetus can survive outside of the womb. However with modern technological medical advances this point keeps changing, so is difficult to define.
     • BIRTH- Mary Anne Warren argues that "birth, rather than some eariler point, marks the beginning of moral status.". She argues that if a foetus is a person, than sperm and ovum are people too. Birth defines a clear point of personhood.
       • Glover rejects this, and says that the similarities between prem babies and foetuses are too much to distinguish between. Birth marks the recognition of the baby as a person by others. However, surely personhood is more than recognition.
   • Personhood is difficult to define because of the many different stages at which a foetus could be considered a human. There isn't a way of drawing a definite line, hence the abortion debate cannot be settled.
   • Life of Mother vs Life of Child
     • Eptopic pregnancies kill mother and baby, so in these circumstances, the mother is prioritised.
     • Pregnancy can aggravate existing health issues, ie. high blood pressure and heart problems. Additionally pregnancy can stop the mother taking medication.
     • Thompson presents abortion as self defense.
     • Legalising abortion would prevent unsafe backstreet abortions.
     • Self Liberation from patriarchs.
     • Double effect argues that performing the procedure is ok because you have a positive intention.

2. Euthanasia

   • Euthanasia comes from the greek for 'good death'. Many doctors question if they should practice euthanasia or not because it goes against the hippocratic oath.
     • "I will not prescribe a deadly drug to please someone, nor give advice that may cause his death." Hippocrates.
     • Voluntary- helping a person who wishes to die do so.
       • This is often concerned with whether or not someone has the mental faculties to make such a decision. In nearly ever country voluntary euthanasia is not legal however in Holland it is. The VES campaign works for the legislation of euthanasia in the UK.
     • Active- carrying out an action to help someone die.
     • Passive- not carrying out actions which may prolong life.
     • Involuntary- Helping a person to die when they are unable to request this for themselves.
       • Involuntary euthanasia can only take place if a person consents to it in their living will. Therefore if a person's will says DNR, it should be accepted that the doctor doesn't resuscitate them.
   • In the UK active euthanasia is illegal, but passive euthanasia is practiced often and generally considered yo be legal. Indirect euthanasia (supplying a painkiller which then leads to death) is also acceptab;e
     • RH Crooks notes that medicine allows us to keep people alive even though they should be dead, is withdrawing this treatment, therefore, actually cruel?
   • For Voluntary
     • Killing humans who want to die is not murder.
     • Shows mercy to those suffering with an incurable disease.
     • Give autonomy
     • Should be an option for competent adults.
     • Would prevent dangerous backstreet euthanasia procedures.
     • Allows you to die in a dignified manner.
     • Against Voluntary
       • Motives may be questionnable- ask in moments of despair.
       • Mistakes can be made in diagnosis.
       • System might be abused.
       • Reduce importance of care for the elderly.
       • Acceptance of killing might lead to decline in importance of human life.
   • For Involuntary
     • Typically in relation to comatose patients.
     • Withdrawing burdensome treatment
     • Severely disabled babies are burden on society.