Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics

1. Abotion

   • Definition
     • Removing a foetus from the womb before it is able to survive, ending a pregnancy.
   • Christian Views
     • Roman Catholic
       • Abortion forbidden
       • Believe in natural moral law
         • things must fulfil their purposes therefore murder is wrong
       • Abortion the same as murder
       • god commanded us to "go forth and multiply" therefore its against gods wishes
       • Life begins when egg is fertilised so abortion is taking life and therefore is murder
       • Double Doctrine Effect
         • If doing something morally good has morally bad side effects then it is right to do it as long as the side effect was not intended
           • Therefore if mother is threatened, abortion is ok
     • Protestant Churches
       • Abortion is frowned upon but there are cases where it is accepted
         • If mothers life is in danger
         • Baby will suffer from serious illnesses
           • Poor quality of life
         • Baby is a result of rape
     • Quakers (religious Society of Friends)
       • Relative Morality
         • Some say abortion's forbidden
           • Pacifists in nature - Should not harm/kill the baby
         • Some take more liberal response (situational ethics)
           • Agape love
             • In some cases, abortion is the more loving thing
   • Secular Response
     • Acceptable
       • Pro - choice - Women has right to do as she pleases
       • J.Bentham
         • Utilitarianism Principle
           • Maximises the women's/couple's happiness if she has an abortion
           • IF foetus is a baby then its happiness should be concidered
     • Unacceptable
       • Pro-Life
         • Embryo has rights
       • J.S Mill
         • Harm principle
           • people can do as they please as long as it does not physically harm others
   • Islamic View
     • Accepted if life is in danger
     • Forbidden after 40 days - baby goes through ensoulment

2. Fertility Treatment

   • Definition
     • Treatment given to a women artificially to help a women conceive a baby
       • IVF - Sperm and egg are mixed in a test tube artificially before embryo placed inside uterus
   • Christians Views
     • All against (AID) as sperm not from husband
       • Purpose of marriage is to created family naturally
     • In biblical times if woman could not have baby it was gods will - "the Lord closed her womb"
     • Roman Catholics
       • Forbidden
         • Wrong to intervene with gods 'plan'
         • "I knew you before I formed you in your mother womb
       • Concerned about embryo
         • Sanctity of life
       • Encourages adoption
         • If not have a child naturally do not have a right to decide
     • Church of England
       • Very liberal response
         • Its permissible as long as baby is loved
           • "love thy neighbour"
       • Preserves God's creation of human race
       • Disagree with surrogacy
         • Women holding other women's baby in womb
     • Anglian Church
       • Its fine as long as it is last resort
       • rights of the embryo should be considered
       • People have right to have children
   • Islamic View
     • AIH and IVF are accepted as long as no 3rd party is involved
     • Disliked but acceptable if natural methods fail
     • All children gift from god
     • AID forbidden as is sin. not husband's sperm
   • Secular Responses

3. Euthanasia

4. Using Animals In Medical Research