human ethical issues

Question 1

key dates in pregnancy

Answer 1

• 0 weeks: point of conception
• 12 weeks: dating scan to check the size of the foetus
• 21 weeks 5 days: point of viability in the UK
• 24 weeks: HFEA legal limit for an abortion
• 28 weeks: abortion act 1967, due to backstreet abortions
• 40 weeks: abortion can be allowed up until then if health is a risk to the mother or the baby

Question 2

arguments for abortion

Answer 2

• the foetus is not a child so it is not murder
• lessens backstreet abortions so it decreases female deaths
• mothers rights are more important than the childs
• its for the good of the woman
• if the baby has a disability it could have a lower life quality if born
• lessens impact of doctors who block abortion due to personal feelings

Question 3

arguments against abortion

Answer 3

• concerns that the foetus suffers during the abortion
• people are requesting abortions for unserious reasons (mild abnormalities)
• dont know how severe genetic disabilities are so could still have a good quality of life
• potential life has rights

Question 4

value and use of embryos and foetus’

Answer 4

• embryos classed after 14 days after development, as they have a potential to split into identical twins
• at this time they gain their pre-emtive streak, where they gain their unique aspects
• can destroy potential life –> embroys ensouled after a certain period
• is removing a foetus because it will develop a genetic disease a good reason?

Question 5

uses of embryos and foetus’ in medicine

Answer 5

IVF
- several eggs removed from the woman and fertilised in the lab before the most promising ones are reinserted
- for couples who have difficulty conceiving or same-sex couples

medical research
- 1990 human fertilisation + Embryology Act allows research on spare embryos from IVF treatment or embryos created specifically for treatment
- both sperm and egg donors must give consent for this research

PGD
- used if a child has a high risk of developing a severe genetic disorder
- IVF produces several embryos and one free from the disorder is used while the others are discarded
- cannot be used for designing a baby
- James watson: ethically irresponsible to continue natural reproduction when PGD exists to eradicate genetic defects

theraputic cloning
- stem cells used to make new brain cells to treat Parkinsons/rebuild bones and cartilage/replacement heart valves
- need cells from the same host to prevent rejection
- HFEA 2001 allowed genetic cloning
- problematic from a religious perspective as the embryo dies in the process

Question 6

issues with designer babies

Answer 6

• what is perfect
• reduced diversity
• increased prejudice and discrimination in society
• unconditional love

Question 7

active euthanasia

Answer 7

• carrying out an action to help someone help to die

Question 8

passive euthanasia

Answer 8

• not carrying out an action that would preserve life

Question 9

voluntary euthanasia

Answer 9

• helping a person who wishes to die to do so

Question 10

non voluntary euthanasia

Answer 10

• helping a person to die against their wishes

Question 11

involuntary euthanasia

Answer 11

• helping a person to die against their wishes

Question 12

assisted suicide

Answer 12

• an individual is provided with the means to commit suicide

Question 13

Uk law on euthanasia

Answer 13

• passive euthanasia legal since 1993 –> Tony Bland
• active euthanasia is against the law, even if the patient wants to die –> victim consent does not provide viable defence in the UK
• most recent euthanasia legal attempt was in 2006 but overuled by the HOL by 148-100

Question 14

for euthanasia

Answer 14

• personal choice: liberty to choose belongs to the patient –> self determination, autonomy
• should have a way out when QOL deteriorates
• closure: family know they have the best possible death
• less risk of something going wrong if they are properly euthanised
• private act, the gov cannot intervene
• majority of the population in the UK agree to it
• inverted speciesism, peter singer: discriminate against other species, will put them down out to stop their misery, why not humans
• avoidance of pain, natural to avoid it due to benthams utilitarianism
• end of life care varies from place to place due to funding
• PVS: peter singer, are u a person in a vegetative state
• QALYS: resources in healthcare can be saved, as people who need intensive care simply end their lives
• restrictive laws cause negative impacts

Question 15

against euthanasia

Answer 15

• sanctity of life –> destroying gods creation
• taking control of a situation that we have no jurisdiction
• self-determination and influence –> Abrahamic gods influence
• not private as another assists you
• majority agreed does not mean correct
• inverted speciesism: only ‘put down’ as palliative care cannot be given to animals
• life is about suffering, should not try to avoid
• pain = gods plan
• investment in palliative care instead of euthanasia
• slippery slope, disproportionate deaths
• doctor and patient: doc took hippo oath, element of trust
• QALYS: unjust as eldery pay the most taxes to health so should be able to use it

Question 16

arguments for capital punishment

Answer 16

• used in countries that uphold shar’iah law
• money can be used elsewhere (money for imprisonment etc)
• sometimes cheaper than prison
• protecting society
• retribution
• deterrent

Question 17

arguments against capital punishment

Answer 17

• vengeance is morally dubious
• ‘thou shalt not kill’
• disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged and minority groups
• jesus: forgiveness
• sanctity of life
• no human jurisdiction to end a life