BioEthics

Issues on Artificial Reproduction and Its morality. Morality on Abortion and Rape

Artificial Insemination (AI)

a medical procedure that involves the deliberate introduction of sperm into a woman's reproductive tract (vagina, cervix, or uterus) without sexual intercourse, in order to achieve pregnancy.

AIH (Artificial Insemination by Husband/Homologous) and AID (Artificial Insemination by Donor/Heterologous

Types of AI

generally more accepted by religious and ethical • • o traditions as it maintains the biological bond and marital unity

Ethical Considerations for AI: AIH

raises ethical and moral dilemmas

Ethical Considerations for AI: AID

It introduces a third-party genetic material, which may disrupt the notion of marital exclusivity.

Raises questions about the child's right to know their biological origins.

Issues of anonymity, consent, and future identity implications.

what are the raises ethical and moral dilemmas of AID

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

a technique where eggs are extracted from a woman’s ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferred into the woman’s uterus to develop naturally.

Overcomes both male and female infertility.

Can use donor sperm or eggs.

Enables preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to screen for genetic disorders

Advantages of IVF

Separation of Unitive and Procreative Aspects, Commodification of Life, Surplus Embryos and 4. Accessibility and Equity

Ethical and Moral Concerns of IVF

Separation of Unitive and Procreative Aspects

IVF separates conception from the sexual union, which some ethical and religious traditions (e.g., Catholic ethics) consider morally unacceptable.

Commodification of Life

Children risk being viewed as “products” of a process, undermining the dignity of life

Surplus Embryos

Often, more embryos are created than used. These may be frozen, discarded, or used for research—raising concerns about the sanctity of life

Accessibility and Equity

IVF is costly and often available only to affluent couples, raising justice issues

Surrogate Motherhood

an arrangement where a woman agrees to carry and deliver a child for another individual or couple

Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy

Types of Surrogacy

Altruistic Surrogacy and Commercial Surrogacy

Surrogacy Arrangements

Gestational Surrogacy

not genetically related to the child

Traditional Surrogacy

the surrogate is the biological mother of the child

Altruistic Surrogacy

no financial gain beyond reimbursement for medical or legal expenses directly related to the surrogacy

Commercial Surrogacy

involves monetary compensation for the surrogate's reproductive labor. 

Parental Rights, Exploitation and Commodification and Psychological and Emotional Impact

Ethical Issues in Surrogacy

Abortion

the intentional termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the fetus before viability.

Natural/Spontaneous, Induced Abortion, Therapeutic Abortion, Eugenic Abortion and Indirect Abortion

Types of Abortion

Natural/Spontaneous

Miscarriage

Induced Abortion

Intentional removal of fetus

Therapeutic Abortion

Done to protect the mother’s life or health

Eugenic Abortion

Performed due to fetal abnormalities

Indirect Abortion

A medical procedure that indirectly results in fetal death

Articles 256–259 of the Revised Penal Code

Abortion is criminalized under?

1987 Constitution

protects the life of the unborn from conception

Conservative View, Liberal View and Moderate View

Ethical Perspectives of Abortion

Conservative View

Life begins at conception; abortion is always wrong. Permissible only if mother’s life is at grave risk

Liberal View

Woman’s autonomy and reproductive rights are paramount. Fetus is not a “person” with rights in early stages

Moderate View

Permissible under specific circumstances (rape, incest, fetal anomaly). o Gradual recognition of fetal rights as pregnancy progresses

Rape

non-consensual act of sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person through force, threat, manipulation, or when the person is incapable of giving valid consent (e.g., due to intoxication, unconsciousness, or mental incapacity)

moral and ethical standpoint, intrinsically evil and unjustifiable under any circumstances

Moral Evaluation of Rape

Respect for Persons, Non-Maleficence, Justice,Autonomy and Human Dignity

what are the Ethical Principles Violated in Rape

Respect for Persons

Rape disregards the inherent dignity and autonomy of the victim.

Non-Maleficence

It causes profound physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

Justice

It constitutes a grave form of injustice by violating another's rights.

Autonomy

Rape is a complete denial of the person’s ability to make free choices regarding their body and sexuality

Human Dignity

The act treats the victim as a mere object for gratification, undermining their value as a human being

full moral and legal responsibility for the act

The perpetrator bears

support survivors, provide access to justice, and promote healing and rehabilitation

rape: Society has a moral obligation to?

educate against rape culture, which normalizes or excuses sexual violence

rape: There is also a duty to

Euthanasia

It refers to the deliberate, painless ending of life to relieve suffering, especially in patients with terminal or incurable conditions

good

derived from the Greek words eu means?

death

derived from the Greek words thanatos means

Active, Passive, Voluntary, Non-Voluntary, Involuntary

Types of Euthanasia

Active Euthanasia

Direct intervention to end life (e.g., lethal injection)

Passive Euthanasia

Withholding or withdrawing treatment necessary for life.

Voluntary Euthanasia

Patient consents to end-of-life measures.

Non-Voluntary Euthanasia

Consent is not obtained; decision is made by others.

Involuntary Euthanasia

Patient is capable but not consulted or opposes the act.

The Sanctity of Human Life, Principle of Non-Maleficence, Autonomy and Informed Consent, Slippery Slope Argument, Role of Healthcare Professionals, Palliative Care and Compassion

Moral and Ethical Evaluation of Euthanasia

Christianity (especially Catholic teaching)

Strongly opposes euthanasia, affirming the sanctity of life and viewing suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth and solidarity with Christ

Islam and Judaism

Generally oppose euthanasia on the grounds that life belongs to God, and only God should determine when it ends.

Secular Humanist or Utilitarian Views

May support euthanasia if it minimizes overall suffering and respects the individual’s choice

Suicide

the intentional, willful termination of one’s own life. It is direct, voluntary, and often violent or destructive. generally not medically motivated

Often psychological/emotional

Cause of Suicide

Usually violent

Means of Suicide

Self-directed despair

Motivation of Suicide

Natural Law

Both are morally wrong; life is sacred and given by God

Utilitarianism

Justified if it reduces overall suffering or burden

Kantian Ethics

Prohibited—life must be treated as an end, not a means.

Autonomy Principle

Supports individual right to choose dignified death

dysthanasia

the prolongation of the dying process through excessive medical intervention, often considered futile or burdensome

Excessive, aggressive treatment with no therapeutic benefit may prolong agony and suffering, Lacks proportionality between benefit and burden

Characteristics of dysthanasia

orthothanasia

means “allowing to die naturally.

orthothanasia

Discontinuation of excessive or disproportionate treatments Provision of comfort and palliative care

Living Will, Health Care Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney

Type of Advance directives for orthothanasia

Living Will

Specifies treatments one wants or refuses if terminally ill or unconscious

Health Care Proxy

Designates a person to make decisions if the individual becomes incapacitated.

Durable Power of Attorney

Broader scope including financial and healthcare decisions

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

order instructs healthcare professionals not to perform CPR in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Must be discussed with the patient/surrogate ,Must be documented in the medical record, Does not mean withdrawal of all care—only CPR is withheld

Key Considerations of DNR

Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice

Ethical Principles in DNR Decisions

Autonomy

Respects patient's decision to forgo CPR

Beneficence

Avoids painful and often futile intervention

Non-maleficence

Prevents harm from traumatic CPR

Justice

Ensures appropriate resource use

Controversial

is Euthanasia Ethically Permissible

Generally not

is Suicide Ethically Permissible

No

is Dysthanasia Ethically Permissible

Yes

is Orthothanasia Ethically Permissible

Yes

is Advance Directives Ethically Permissible

Yes (with consent)

is DNR Ethically Permissible