Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics

1. Sanctity of Life

   • Definition: All life is sacred (precious)
   • Catholics believe life begins at conception and to harm an embryo or foetus is murder Church of England Christians believe life begins at birth or after conception so embryos destroyed early on are not alive
   • Key Points/Facts
     • All people a precious gift from God, every person is of equal worth to God also
       • A human’s age, health or ability does not make any person more or less valuable
         • Life should be treated with respect, and this is an act of worship to God
           • Honour God through their bodies and how they live their lives
             • God gives life and will also sustain/guide people if they have faith in him
   • Bible Evidence
     • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”
       • “You knit me together in my mother’s womb”
         • “Do not murder”
           • “You yourself are God’s temple”

2. Abortion

   • Roman Catholics
     • They are PRO LIFE
       • Deliberate abortion is not acceptable. Only acceptable if done to save the mother, as the loss of the child is then an unfortunate side effect, but the purpose is not to harm the embryo/foetus.
         • Goes against the commandment “Do not murder”.
           • Roman Catholics believe that life begins at conception, so an embryo/foetus is a human being and is sacred due to the Sanctity of Life
             • We should not interfere with life as it is God’s creation: “You [God] knit me together in my mother’s womb”
               • A foetus has the right to life
                 • Believe adoption is a better alternative to abortion
   • Church of England
     • They are PRO CHOICE
       • Abortion is acceptable under certain circumstances e.g. continued pregnancy would lead to mother’s death, risk of foetus disability; mother is victim of rape; mother cannot raise child due to mental illness.
         • Sanctity of Life Principle suggests that the mother’s life is more sacred