Religion and Medical Ethics

Abortion is when a foetus is removed prematurely from the womb before it is able to survive.

• Legally take place before the 24th week
• Consider the quality of life of mother & unborn child & any pre-existing children

There are complicated arguments for and against abortion.

• 'Pro choice'- Woman has right to decide (foetus considered part of woman)
• Is foetus part of mother?- genetically different
• Against but certain circumstances it is permitted- eithers health is at risk, **** or mother is too young to cope
• When does life begin? Conception? (Roman Catholic Church) Or at birth?
• Is the foetus an actual person or a potential person?

Many Christians see abortion as undesirable.

• Roman Catholic Church say its murder

"Abortion is considered to be murder since the first centuries of the Church, and nothing permits it to be considered otherwise."- Pope Paul VI (Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, 1970)

• The Church of England say its permissable in certain circumstances
• Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)- say the life of the unborn child cannot be valued above the womans
• Allowing a woman to chose- Christian compassion

The 'Sancity of Life' argument

• Created in image of God & given life
• Do not have the right to interfer

"You shall not murder."- Exodus 20:13

Infertility means an inability to conceive a child.

• Artificial insemination by the husband (AIH)- sperm from the husband is injected into the wife's womb
• Artifical insemination by Donor (AID)- sperm from a sperm bank is used
• In Vitro fertilisation (IVF)- eggs are fertilised in a test tube and 1 or 2 are implanted in the mother's womb
• Egg donation- where an egg from a diferent woman is used
• Cloning- a possible future technique for creating children genetically identical to one parent

Christianity sees Children as a blessing from God.

• Most Churches- its okay for science to help childless couples- as long as no one else is involved in the process
• So AIH is permissable- blessed with a child, sancity of marriage isn't interfered with.- Roman Catholics aren't keen- unnatural sex act
• If AIH fails- adoption
• Some Christians- IVF is appropriate
• AID & egg donation- less favourable- third party
• Roman Catholic church opposes IVF in all forms- created spare embryos that are destroyed. Catholics- life begins at fertilisation- embryos have rights
• Many Christians opose cloning- attempt to play God, many foetuses will die & meant to be unique

Euthanasia means killing someone painlessly to relieve suffering, especially from an incurable illness. It is often called mercy killing.

• Voluntary euthanasia- actively requests assistance to die or refuses treatment
• Involuntary euthanasia- person is unable to make request & decision is made by others

Suicide is when someone takes their own life- usually because of depression or illness.

• Used to be a crime- but now seen as a sign they need help
• Assisted suicide- when a doctor provides someone the means to end their own life

Euthanasia & assisted suicide is illegal in the UK.

• Double effect- doctors prescribe an excess of pain killers- ease suffering but lead to death- legal as long as the intention was to relieve pain
• Concern- elderly people may feel under pressure to end their lfie
• Charity 'Dignity in Dying' wants it legalised- survey said 80% were in favour of letting terminally ill patients die with doctors assistance

"Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit."

• God lives within us
• Sacred gift- seen as wrong by many christians
• However sime argue- Jesus resurrection proves death is not the end- earthly life isn't always the most important thing
• Roman Catholics- strongly oppose- grave violation of the law of God

• Roman Catholics- suicide is a grave sin- aren't given a Christian burial
• However some Christians point out passages in the bible describe suicide & don't call it a sin

• Many Christians- euthanisia is a demonstration of Christian compassion
• Anglican denominations- distress should not be suffered at all costs & death may be a blessing- quality of life should be considered
• Local Churches often have links with hospices

Christianity says animals come below people.

• Major issues for Christians- do animals have souls?
• Many believe they don't- God created us as superior to them- here for our use

"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moved on the ground."- Genesis 1:28

• Teaches- treat animals with kindness but they can be used to benefit mankind
• Excessive money shouldn't be wasted on animals when humans are suffering
• Roman Catholic Church says animal experimentation is allowable

"remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives."

• Some campaign for great compassion- 'Catholic Concern for Animals'
• Some argue- our treatment of animals reflects on us
• Church of England teaches- medical & technological use of animals should be monitored in 'light of the ethical principles'.