Chapter 12 law and ethics

when does life begin?

at moment of conception
embryo stage:2-12th week
fetus: 3rd month
at birth

artificial insemination

injection of seminal fluid into vagina from husband or donor
wise to require consent in writing from both husbnad and wife
legal status of offspring a concern
ethical considerations in artificial conception

in vitro fertilization

ovum and sperm cells combined outside womans body
cells grown in lab and later implanted into womans uterus
unused embryos are destroyed
embryos can be frozen for possible future implantation

surrogate motherhood

surrogate mother agrees to bear child for infertile couple
contract established
couple must pay for medical expenses of surrogate mother

ethical dilemmas with surrogate motherhood

potential court battle over custody of child
potential embarrassment for surrogate(prostitution)
potential harm to surrogates own child when he or she learns she gave one child away and received money in return

fertility drugs

drugs enhance ability to become pregnant
increases womans chance of having multiple births
physicians may recommend some of the embryos be harvested(selective reduction)

contraception

union of male sperm and female ovum
several states have laws that prohibit selling contraceptives to minors

sterilization

medically altering reproductive organs to terminate ability to produce offspring
may be surgical intervention such as vasectomy in the male or tubal ligation in the female

voluntary sterilization

few legal problems for competent persons
becoming most popular method of birth control

consent for sterilization

requires patients written consent
also require consent of spouse
at least 21 years of age

eugenic sterilization

involuntary sterilization considered to be unethical by many people
must be proven to be in the best interest of cognitively disabled person

negligence suits related to sterilization

many claims involve women who have become pregnant after sterilization procedure

ethical issues surrounding sterilization and birth control

eugenic sterilization is abhorrent to many people
ask if it is morally acceptable for those receiving state and federal funds to dispense contraceptive devices

abortion

termination of pregnancy before fetus is viable

spontaneous abortion

occurs naturally without any interference(miscarriage)

induced abortion

caused by artificial means( medications or surgical procedure)

Roe v. Wade

US supreme court declared that a criminal abortion law in texas prohibiting all abortions not necessary to save life of mother to be a violation of woman's right to privacy

supremes court stand to abortion

first trimester: decision to have abortion between woman and her physician
second trimester: state may regulate medical conditions under which an abortion is performed
third trimester: state may prohibit all abortions except to save the life of the mother

recommendations from the court's decision about aboirtion

first trimester: abortions should be performed in hospitals
approved process for abortions should include other physicians in addition to woman's physician
woman should wait for designated period of time before having an abortion and should receive counse

historical progression of cases affecting abortion

1976: unconstitutional to require husband or parental consent before abortion
1977: states may refuse to pay for nontherapeutic abortions
1980: federal funds may not be used to pay for medicaid abortion
1981: physician must notify parents before abortion

partial birth abortion

many state legislatures oppose abortion procedures that allow fetus to enter birth canal while still alive

incompetent persons and abortions

difficult ethical issues arise when incompetent persons are subjected to unplanned or unwanted pregnancies
court appointed guardian(guardian ad litem) speaks on behalf of incapacitated person

unborn victims of violence act 1999

provides legal penalties for any harm done to unborn child at federal facilities; treats all unborn life as a person

baby doe regulations

protects disabled infant
prohibits witholding medical treatment

genetic counseling and testing

Gregor Mendel
genetic counselors meet with couple before pregnancy occurs to discuss potential for passing on defective gene

parental testing

amniocentesis is the use of a needle to withdraw, from the uterus, a small amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus
consent must be signed before procedure
risks are early labor

wrongful life suits

lawsuit often brought against physician or lab when baby is born with severe defects
lawsuits brought when sterilization failed

safe haven laws

infants can be safely left in safe haven places if unable to care for them
includes: hospitals, police stations, and fire houses