Issues of human life and death

What is abortion

the termination of pregnancy before the foetus is fully developed 

Legal grounds for abortion (UK)

• Allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy

• Risk of physical or mental harm to mother 

• Risk of physical or mental harm to existing children

Capital punishment

 a form of punishment which a prisoner is put death for crimes committed 

Why is capital punishment used?

• Retribution: a person who committed a serious crime deserves to die

• Deterrence: it stops people committing crimes out of fear  

Active euthanasia

 a doctor directly ending a patient’s life 

Passive euthanasia

providing or discontinuing treatment that would be effective in preventing the patient’s death

Assisted suicide

• giving a patient is given the means to kill themself but the patient is in complete control and performs the act themselves 

• Both are illegal in the UK

What is embryo research?

When scientists extract human embryos from surplus IVF embryos, (with the consent of the donor)

What is the purpose of embryo research?

Embryonic stem cell research promises to cure many currently untreatable diseases such as Parkinsons, rebuild bones & cartilage, repair damaged immune systems and make replacement heart valves

What is the current legislation regarding embryo research in the UK? 

• only if research is absolutely essential

• Embryo must have been created through IVF

• Research is permitted for up to 14 days, after which they embryo must be destroyed 

• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is permitted for medical conditions only. Sex selection is allowed only to prevent sex-linked genetic conditions 

• Saviour sibling technology may be permitted if there is no other method of saving the sick child’s life (condition must be serious)

What are the ethical issues involved?

 Sourcing embryonic stem cells kills the embryo. If the embryo is to be regarded as a person then this is to be considered murder

What is cloning?

A process by which biological duplicates of an organism are made 

What is the purpose of cloning?

Therapeutic cloning  (the cloning of biological materials to produce embryos from which stem cells can be taken from for research) has the potential to cure a range of diseases and conditions.

What are the ethical issues involved:

could be seen as ‘playing God’

What are designer babies?

 Designer babies are created by selecting embryos through a process called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

After IVF, embryos are tested for genetic disorders, and only healthy ones are chosen to be implanted in the womb.

What is the purpose of designer babies?

In some cases, a designer baby may also be used to help treat a sick sibling. It aims in the future, to make it possible to avoid passing on genetic diseases but also through germ-line therapy to engineer the appearance and intelligence of embryos

Ethical issues involved:

• Might contribute to a dystopia where patients who can afford it create a ‘super-race’ whereas those who cannot are seen as second class citizens 

• The human race could become trans-humans where people could choose to have various body-types and appearances and people would no longer be recognisable as the humans we define ourselves as today 

• It is taking over God’s function as creator 

NML: Embryo research- creation of IVF embryos

• Worship of God: those responsible for IVF processes are ‘playing God’

• Reproduction: NML states it is wrong to separate the sexual act from the procreative act 

• Living on an ordered society: separating the unitive from the procreation may pose a threat to marriage and family harmony- the basis for a harmonious society

NML: Embryo research- destruction of embryos breaches

• Preserving innocent life

• Secondary precept- do not murder 

• God created man in his image so it has intrinsic value 

• It is an apparent good: the intention of most embryo use is good, however the action is wrong (in NML both the intention and the action must be good)

NML: Designer babies

• Preaches primary precepts-

• Worshipping God (it takes him out of the equation)

• Living in an ordered society: devalues the weak, may lead to race of superhumans and discrimination based on wealth, 

NML: abortion

• Against direct abortion

• In Aquinas’ view the rational soul was present 60-80 days after conception  

• It breaches a range of primary precepts:

• Worshipping God (Only he can create and destroy life)

• Preservation of innocent life 

• Living in an ordered society (discriminates against vulnerable people)

• Some may argue abortion is permissible before rational soul is present but Aquinas makes no such claim

Natural moral law abortion quote

• “He will not be excused excused from homicide”

• Meaning: whoever causes the death of a foetus is guilty of murder

Catholic Church: indirect abortion

• The catholic church use the approach of NML and  allow indirect abortion (abortions that fulfil the criteria of the principle of double effect, the intention and means used are not to kill the foetus)

• For example, If a woman had a cancerous uterus and needed a hysterectomy to save her life, then this is the morally right thing to do as killing the foetus is only an unintended side effect. The death of the foetus is not the means of saving the mother’s life, the hysterectomy is. 

• Saving the mother’s life is just as good as saving the foetus’- this is supported by Genesis- all human life is sacred as it is in God’s image 

Strengths of NMLs approach to abortion

Provides clear guidance on status of foetus and what the choice should be

Aligns with religious teachings

Focuses on preserving human life

Weaknesses of NMLs approach to abortion

Doesnt consider a variety of reasons for pregnancy e,g, rape and incest

Does Not take into account negative effect for mother and foetus if baby was unwanted

Does Not account for health risks to mother (not preserving life of mother)

NML: Capital Punishment

• Aquinas permitted capital punishment 

• Itupholds the cardinal virtue of justice if the aim is retribution

• It upholds the primary precept of living in an ordered society

• However: It should be carried out by the state

• should not be left to individuals to perform it as this becomes revenge 

NML quote for capital punishment

• “It is permissible to kill a criminal if it is necessary for the welfare of the whole community” 

1 strength of NMLs approach to capital punishment

Gives justice to victim and their family

Weakness of NMLs approach to Capital punishment

Innocent people can be killed, contradicts precepts of preserving innocent life and living in an ordered society

State can make mistakes so should not have absolute power

Arguably goes against the strong sanity of life principle

Catholic stance on capital punishment

• generally oppose it but some take Aquinas’ approach

• “the cases in which execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, in fact pratically non-existent”

NML: Euthanasia

• Breaches three primary precepts:

• Worshipping God (Life is God’s gift to humans and only God as the right to take life away)

• Preservation innocent life 

• Living in an ordered society (It encourages discrimination against the disabled as legislation could start a slippery slope for what is voluntary to something that is in the end, in voluntary) 

• Suffering can have positive effects such as enabling spiritual growth for the sufferer and their loved ones

Quote for NML: Euthanasia

• “The passage from this life to the next is not subject to man’s free will but to the power of God”

Catholic Church’s stance on Euthanasia

• Distinguishes between proportionate and disproportionate means 

• If treatment prolongs the life without benefits it is moral to refuse treatment, this allows nature to take course in a merciful way (passive euthanasia)

Strengths of NML: Euthanasia

Clear guidelines are important as people may not be able to. Prevents killing life for mistaken reasons. Allows for palliative care.

Considers that everyone's life equally has value and is considered equally regardless of the situation, further emphasises sanctity of life

Weaknesses of NML: Euthanasia

• Values sanctity of life over quality of life