Bioethics Flashcards
(33 cards)
Infertility
A couple cannot conceive and are unable to have a child
Why might someone be infertile?
Man does not produce sperm, woman has difficulty producing eggs, medical condition eg blocked fallopian tubes, thyroid problems or a hormonal imblanace
Natural methods of overcoming infertility
Making healthy lifestyle choices eg eating nutritious diet and avoiding alcohol
Medicine methods of overcoming infertility
Taking fertility drugs may help, even if the cause of infertility is unknown
Surgery methods of overcoming infertility
Can help with blocked fallopian tubes or other internal problems. A woman can also have an ovary transplant for women who cannot produce her own eggs
Assisted conception methods of overcoming infertility
Eg IVF (in vitro fertilisation) fertilises the egg in a test tube, eg IUI (intrauterine insemation) inserts sperm directly into the womb
IVF
Human egg and sperm are brought together in the test tube/Petri dish
What is the process of IVF?
If fertilised successfully, the embryo is placed in uterus to grow and develop as normal
Doctors will often fertilise more than one egg so the healthiest can be chosen for implantation
Spare embryos may be used for research until they are 14 days old, then must be destroyed according to the Warnock Report of 1984
argument for IVF
SAME-SEX COUPLES - can make it possible for same sex couples to have a chance at parenting, sometimes with the help of a surrogate mother
RESEARCH - embryos research can help doctors towards a greater understanding of diseases eg Alzheimer’s, cancer or heart disease
OTHER MEDICAL ADVANCES - eg embryo screening to eliminate genetic disease
ADOPTION ISN’T AN OPTION - a couple may want a child who is genetically theirs
Argument against IVF
SPARE EMBRYOS - can it be right to destroy potential life? Life is sacred as we are made in God’s image. ‘Do not murder’
IMPACT ON CHILDREN - could cause identity issues/stress for the child if they learn there is no genetic link to one or both parents
LOW SUCCESS RATE - can be very expensive and cause strain on couple of they face multiple unsuccessful treatment - 27% success rate as of 2021
DONATED EGGS/SPERM - could be seen as a form of adultery
What is the argument that an embryo has no rights?
An embryo is not a person, so doesn’t have rights
If experimentation benefits society then it is morally justifiable to sacrifice its welfare
What is the argument that embryos have limited rights?
Under UK law an embryo has no rights until it is 14 days old, then has limited rights
After viability the foetus is thought to be a life which has full rights and can survive on its own
What is the arguments that an embryo has full human rights?
Life begins at conception, as at this point full genetic information is present to create a person
This is the opinion of the Catholic Church
Surrogacy
When an embryo is placed in the uterus of a host (surrogate) mother
Gestational/full surrogacy
No genetic link of the surrogate mother to embryo
Traditional/partial surrogacy
The eggs of the surrogate mother are used with either donor or male partner’s sperm
Legal ownership of child
The surrogate is the baby’s legal mother, so the couple who is going to raise it must adopt the child, and the birth certificate is changed. Once the child turns 18, the child can request to see the original birth certificate to find out who the surrogate mother was
Is surrogacy legal in the UK?
HFEA says surrogacy is legal if carried out for altruistic reasons. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in the UK, but the surrogate may be paid expenses during pregnancy eg maternity clothes or transport for medical appointments
arguments against surrogacy
COMMERCIAL SURROGACY - in some parts of the world is legal, and is a huge money making business which can exploit young women living in poverty
IMMORAL - Christian churches say it is immoral thay children be crated for adoption, Catholic Church says surrogacy is adultery (third party)
IDENTITY ISSUES - for child possibly having 3 mothers and 2 fathers
ATTACHMENT - if the surrogate bonds with the chiod and doesn’t want to give it up it can cause legal difficulties over ‘ownership’
Argument for surrogacy
ONLY OPTION - if they don’t want to adopt and IVF has failed
GENETICS - allows children to to share genetics with one or both parents, unlike adoption
SAME-SEX COUPLE - allows them to have a child eg two men commission a surrogate mother, with one of them providing the sperm
HEALTH PROBLEMS - the woman may have problems carrying the chiod through pregnancy eg miscarriage surrogacy could be the answer to years of unsuccessful attempts of having a family
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
The UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment, reproductive technologies and research using human embryos
What is HFEA’s aim?
To ensure everyone involved receives high quality care
What does HFEA do?
- Licensing, monitoring and inspecting fertility clinics
- Providing free, clear and impartial information about infertility treatment, clinics and sperm/egg/embryo donation
- Regulating fertility clinics and projects involving research with human embryos eg through inspections and setting standards
- Ensuring all work is carried out to a high standard by qualified people
- Collecting data about infertility treatments so that people who conceived with a donor can learn more about their genetic origins
HFEA act
1st November 1990 UK Parliament passed the HFEA act to bring under regulation:
- the creation, care and use of human embryos outside of the body of the mother
- the collection, care and use of donated human sperm/eggs
- the storage of these eggs/embryos
