med ethics vocab

Medical Ethics

Rules about what is right and wrong in healthcare and medicine.

Brain

The organ in your head that controls thinking, movement, and body functions.

Brain Stem

The lower part of the brain that controls basic life functions like breathing and heartbeat.

Brain Death

When the brain permanently stops working and cannot recover

Ordinary Means of Life Support

Basic treatments (like food, water, oxygen) that are commonly used and not too burdensome.

Extraordinary Means of Life Support

Advanced or extreme treatments (like machines or risky procedures) that may be hard on the patient or unlikely to help.

How is the “absence of brain function” measured?

By tests showing no brain activity, no response to stimuli, and no electrical activity (like a flat EEG).

How is the “absence of brain stem function” measured?

By checking reflexes (like pupil response, gag reflex, breathing). If none are present, the brain stem isn’t working.

Coma

A deep unconscious state where a person cannot wake up or respond.

Vegetative State

A condition where a person is awake (eyes open) but not aware or responsive.

Anoxia

A lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause serious damage.

CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident)

stroke; when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts.

Uniform Determination of Death Act

A law in the U.S. that defines death as either the stopping of the heart and lungs or total brain death

Euthanasia

Intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering.

“Mercy-killing”

Another term for euthanasia, emphasizing ending suffering.

Physician-Assisted Suicide

When a doctor provides means for a patient to end their own life.

Embryos

Early stages of human development just after fertilization.

Viability

The point when a fetus can survive outside the womb (with or without medical help).

Human Stem Cells

Special cells that can develop into different types of cells in the body.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem cells taken from embryos that can become almost any type of cell.

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells found in the body after birth that can form a limited range of cells.

Moratorium

A temporary stop or pause on an activity (often for ethical or safety reasons).

NIH (National Institutes of Health)

A U.S. government agency that funds and conducts medical research.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Adult cells that scientists reprogram to act like embryonic stem cells.

Donum Vitae

A Catholic Church document about respecting human life, especially regarding reproduction and embryos.

Fetus

A developing human from about 8 weeks after fertilization until birth.

Down Syndrome

A genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome, leading to developmental differences.

Genetic Engineering

Changing an organism’s DNA to alter its traits.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic instructions for how living things grow and function.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

A process where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body and then implanted in the uterus.