development in bioethics Flashcards
who are the HFEA
human fertilisation and embryology authority they regulate and inspect clinics in the uk who provide IVF, artificial insemination and storage of human eggs, sperm and embryos
what ethical standards are maintained by the HFEA
ensure human embryos are destroyed after 14 days and cannot be experimented on
documenting and maintaining records of sperm and egg donors to provide children created through this to access to biological parents
regulating new advances in genetic editing on embryos
what is IVF
procedure where egg from a female is fertilised by sperm from her partner or a donor in a petri dish or test tube
what is a christians view of IVF
believe it is immoral due to the spare embryos being destroyed or used for research therefor going against sanctity of life as its destroying innocent human life
If donor sperm or eggs are used, that introduces someone outside the marital bond into the creation of the child, which is considered morally problematic.
The Church believes that sex within marriage is the only moral context for creating life. IVF separates conception from this act
what are the secular views on IVF
Inclusivity: IVF allows single parents, same-sex couples, and older individuals to have biological children this is backed by the universal declaration of human rights as its a right to have a family
why might the success rates of IVF be a con
many argue the success rate is only around 20-30% which may lead to greater unhappiness for couples who put faith into the procedure
how could the cost of IVF be a con
private IVF is around £5000 which can cause some parents to go into debt causing stress
what is surrogacy
form of assisted production which involves implanting an embryo in the womb of a host mother who will carry the baby for pregnancy before handing baby over
what are three issues christians have with surrogacy
introducing of a third person in the procreation of a child some see it as adultery or disrupting the bond between husband and wife
christians fear we are permitting women to enter a pregnancy with the intention of abandoning it for money instead a child is a gift
many christians are concerned with the maternal bond that will exist between surrogate mother and baby
why is the example of Mary Beth whitehead a cautionary tale for surrogacy
Mary would be paid $10,000 to be a surrogate by the sterns
Mary developed a maternal bond and refused to hand the baby over so was taken to court to where the sterns won
what is the secular view on surrogacy adv
Surrogacy offers a path to parenthood for:
Individuals with infertility issues
LGBTQ+ couples
the intended parents can still have a genetic link to the child, which is important for many emotionally and culturally.
what is PGD
pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
doctors can modify or manipulate the genes carried in order to achieve desired characterisitcs
advantages of PGD
reduces risk of genetic diseases this helps prevent the transmission of hereditary conditions to future children like cystic fibrosis
can save on healthcare expenses like beds and medicine as the expected number of ill or terminally ill patients will have e reduced frees space for others less stress on hospitals
longevity and quality of life increases as risk of genetic diseases drop
disadvantages of PGD
playing God Selecting embryos based on genetic traits can be viewed as humans overstepping their role, trying to control life in ways that should be left to God.
PGD, especially if used for non-medical reasons (like choosing sex or physical traits), may lead to a world where human life is valued based on perfection
disregard for the dignity of all life Choosing one embryo over another may unintentionally suggest that some lives are more valuable than others.
