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