Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics

1. Abortion

   • Christian attitudes towards
     • Contrary to natural moral law
     • Same as murder, Playing God
     • Commanded by God 'Go forth and multiply' Genesis:1:28
   • Secular view
     • Pro-choice, the woman has the right to decide because the foetus is considered just a part of the woman.
     • J. Bentham-utilitarian principle- If it maximises the couples happiness then the woman should go ahead with the abortion.
   • Removing the baby out of the womb before it can survive, ending the pregnancy
   • Double Doctrine: If the mother is dying because of the baby then the abortion is OK
   • Absolutist: AID, AIH, and surrogacy: when a there is a 3rd party parent is involved
     • Artificial insemination by husband (AID)

2. Fertility Treatment

   • Treatment to a woman artificially to be able to conceive' have a baby'
   • IVF: sperm and egg put into test tube artificially before embryo placed inside uterus
   • Christian attitudes
     • Islamic view
       • Abortion is acceptable as long there are no 3rd party invovled
       • It is disliked but acceptable but if all natural methods FAIL
         • AID is seen as a sin: adultery
     • Secular view
       • J.BENTHAM( utilitarian)
         • Acceptable if it maximises happiness of couple
         • Harm principle: J.S MILL
           • As long as it doesn't affect pain on others, drugs can be acceptable
     • Christians are against fertility treatment: In the bible-'Hannah had no children because God closed her womb'
       • Roman Catholic- encourages adoption as they want children to be born naturally
       • Against sanctity of life

3. Euthanasia

   • Definition: Ending someone's life if experiencing a painful disease, 'happy death'
     • Passive euthanasia
     • Active Euthanasia
   • Christian attitudes
     • Humans are sacred, made in the figure of God, 'do not commit murder'- exodus:20;13
     • Roman catholics
       • violation of the law of God
     • Christian attitudes towards sucides
       • Its seen as a selfish act
         • thou shall not murder
         • suicides seen as murder
           • Secular responses to euthanasia and suicides
             • J.BENTHAM
               • maximises happiness for the greatness number of people
             • Harm principle: J.S. MILL
               • only wrong if it causes harm by death of another.
       • old view- is was sinful, and when you are died you should go to hell
         • modern version says its no longer considered mortal sin

4. Cloning and animal in medical research

   • Thomas Aquinas
     • animals have no souls therefore they don't have to be treated like humans
   • Roman Catholics say it is ok as long as it benefits humankind e.g life saving medicines
     • Criticism would be the degree of uncertainty