Download Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics
By Amar and James
Key Definitions
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IVF - A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilised
with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg is then replaced into the woman’s
uterus.
AID - When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of a man other than her
partner, but not through having sexual relations with him.
AIH: When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of her husband, but not
through having sexual relations with him.
Surrogacy: A form of fertility treatment in which an embryo from another couple is
created through IVF and then implanted into the ‘host’ woman. The woman
carries the baby throughout pregnancy and gives it to the other couple after birth.
Human genetic engineering: The modification of gene make-up to change the
features of a human.
Embryology: The study of human embryos.
Stem cell research: A cell, most often taken from a 4 – 5 day old embryo
(blastocyst), whose role in the body is yet to be determined.
Cloning: The scientific method by which animals or plants can be created which
have exactly the same genetic make up as the original, because the DNA of the
original is used.
Transplant surgery: When someone else’s organs are put into a patient.
Blood transfusion: When a patient is given extra blood as part of an operation.
Stem cell research and medicine
• Stem cells are originators, they are the beginnings of
tissue and have the capacity to divide constantly and
repair themselves.
• Embryonic stem cell lines come directly from human
embryos.
• Stem cells can be used to ‘grow’ organs like kidneys,
as well as help to repair parts of the brain that are
damaged or diseased.
• Ethical issues with stem cell research are that once
the stem cells are removed, the embryos die; some
may view this as devaluing human life (even if
embryos are only 14 days old or less)
Embryo research
• Embryo research is when scientists use embryos to
learn about diseases, especially genetic diseases, as
well as the development of embryos.
• This research is done in the hope to help to find cures
for these diseases.
• In order to study a human embryo, they must be
removed from the womb, so the only way to obtain a
human embryo to use a leftover from fertility
treatment or create embryos for research.
• Embryo research is only allowed on embryos younger
than 14 days old.
Genetic engineering
• Everyone is made up of DNA containing
100,000 genes.
• Scientists have worked on gene research and
can modify the genetic make up of cells to
successfully treat hundreds of genetic
disorders and diseases.
• This is known as human genetic engineering.
Cloning
• Cloning is done by creating a human foetus
from one person, using an egg and cells
(asexual reproduction).
• The foetus has the same genetic make up as
the original because the DNA of the original is
used.
Blood Transfusions
• People undergoing an operation may lose a lot
of blood; if this happens, they may need extra
blood to replace the blood they have lost.
• When the extra blood is given to them, it must
match the same blood type as the recipient.
• This procedure is known as a blood
transfusion.
Transplantation
• Organ transplantation occurs when a person’s
organ has failed, is failing, or is damaged to the
point where it is no longer functioning properly.
• Many organs used for organ transplantation are
donated from the dead, or are donated from a
loved one of the recipient.
• Some animals can be genetically modified so that
their organs can be used in humans; this is known
as xenotransplantation.
Fertility treatment (IVF)
• IVF: In vitro fertilistation - The procedure in
which eggs are removed from a woman’s
ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a petri
dish in a laboratory. After a few days the
fertilised egg develops into a blastocyst and is
then replaced into the woman’s uterus.
• This procedure only has 25% success rate.
• Unused blastocysts must be destroyed within
14 days by law.
Fertilisation treatment (Surrogacy)
• Surrogacy is when another woman carries a
pregnancy to full term for a couple.
• Conception is done by an artificial method.
• It can be done using the couple/donors egg
and sperm.
• It is used in cases where the woman cannot
medically carry a pregnancy.
• It is illegal to pay someone to be a surrogate
mother in the UK.
Fertility treatment (AID/H)
• Artificial insemination by donor/husband.
• Semen is taken from the male and is inserted
into the woman’s womb when she ovulates.
• AIH occurs when the husband has a low sperm
count.
• AID occurs when the husband is infertile or
has a genetic disease.
• The success rate of this treatment is very low.
Sanctity of life
• Many religions believe that life is sacred and
special, either because it is created by God, or
because it is part of the journey to
enlightenment.
• Many religious believe that the only way to a
pregnancy should be sexual intercourse.
• God created stewardship and dominion over his
creation, so God must permit scientific
knowledge and medicine as part of humanity
looking after life.
Religious attitudes to fertility
treatment
• Christian:
• Go forth and multiply (Genesis)
• God knows each of us intimately, and has set a plan for
our life (Old Testament|)
• Infertility is a call from God to adopt (Roman Catholic
teaching)
• Some Christians accept fertility treatment as part of
God’s gift of medicine.
• Roman Catholics view it as wrong, because children
should be conceived by a couple within the confines of
marriage.
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Islam:
Allah gives life to whom he chooses (Qur’an)
‘Marriage is my tradition’ (Muhammad pbuh)
Do not come near adultery or fornication for it is
shameful (Qur’an)
• Fertility treatment is accepted
• Using donor materials is seen as adultery, so is
considered wrong.
Some views towards fertility treatment. These can be applied to
some of the four types of fertility methods. It is down to YOU to
decide where each comment best fits
 Against
– It is wrong to carry someone
else’s child.
– It is wrong to expect a
woman to give up her child.
– There are enough children
already in the world.
– There are other alternatives
to fertility treatment, e.g.
adoption.
– Children should be born to a
married couple.
– Children are a gift from God.
It is God’s role only to create
human life.
– AID is the same as adultery
 In Favour
– It is already illegal in the UK to
receive payment for surrogacy
– This could be the only way a
couple can receive a child
– Safeguards and support are
already in place.
– A surrogate mother can decide
to keep her child, if she wishes.
– God gave us a brain, we should
use these technological
advances to help people who
are infertile.
Should we just accept infertility?
• Agree:
• Disagree
– God works in mysterious ways
– God may have given us the
and our understanding is
knowledge to challenge
limited.
infertility
– God sees the big picture
– God could be working through
doctors to grant children
– God has created us in a set way
for his own reasons
– Doctors could be working in
partnership with God and
– Therefore, we should trust that
fulfilling the duty to go forth and
God is good and accept infertility
multiply
– The knowledge is there to make
people happier. Why not use it?
– Intentions behind fertility
treatments are always good