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S2 Religion > Developments in Bioethics > Flashcards

Developments in Bioethics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is bioethics?

A

Study of ethical and moral implications of new biological discoveries and biomedical advances.

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2
Q

What is bioethics concerned with?

A

Creating life - different types of fertility treatments for childless couples.

Maintaining life - science used to help keep people alive for longer.

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3
Q

What is infertility?

A

When a couple are unable to have a baby naturally.

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4
Q

How many people in the UK have difficulty conceiving?

A

Around 1 in 7 couples, 3.5 million people.

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5
Q

What are some of the factors that cause infertility?

A

Man may not be able to produce enough functioning sperm.

Woman might suffer from ovulation disorder, affects release of eggs from the ovaries.

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6
Q

What does IVF stand for?

A

In vitro fertilisation

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7
Q

What happens during IVF?

A

Egg fertilised outside of woman’s body.

Egg and sperm brought together in laboratory dish.

More than one egg used.

Sperm fertilises eggs, which develop into blastocyts about 5-6 days after fertilisation.

This is stage of development embryo must reach before it can implant in uterus.

Several fertilised eggs put back inside womb in hope woman will become pregnant.

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8
Q

Why are several eggs fertilised during IVF?

A

To maximise chance of woman becoming pregnant.

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9
Q

What is the average success rate of IVF for patients under 35?

A

1 in 3

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10
Q

When was the first IVF baby born?

A

1978.

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11
Q

What does IUI stand for?

A

Intrauterine insemination

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12
Q

What does AI stand for?

A

Artificial insemination

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13
Q

What is IUI?

A

When sperm is collected from semen samples using a syringe and is introduced into woman’s uterus when she is ovulating.

Aim to fertilise egg.

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14
Q

What are the 2 types of IUI?

A

IUI by partner or husband.

IUI by donor.

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15
Q

When does IUI by partner or husband occur?

A

When husband or male partner has healthy sperm but may have low sperm count.

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16
Q

Do Christians agree with IUI by partner or husband and why?

A

Yes as allows heterosexual couples to have children within sanctity of marriage.

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17
Q

When does IUI by donor occur?

A

If husband or partner’s sperm is not healthy, has no sperm count at all or if woman does not have a male partner.

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18
Q

What are the laws around IUI by donor in the UK?

A

Donors who donate through HFEA licensed fertility clinics protected by law.

Donors not regarded as legal parents of any child born as result of donation and cannot be asked for any type of financial child support.

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19
Q

What are the issues that arise from fertility treatment?

A
  1. Spare embryos
  2. Compromising religious beliefs on marriage
  3. Medical complications
  4. Designer babies
  5. Identity
  6. 3-parent IVF
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20
Q

What are the issues that arise from spare embryos in fertility treatment?

A

Spare embryos from IVF treatment are either destroyed, frozen for future pregnancies, or donated to medical research.

By law any unused embryos must be destroyed within 14 days.

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21
Q

What are the issues that arise from compromising religious beliefs on marriage in fertility treatment?

A

In IVF if egg donated, fertilised egg from donor is placed in woman’s’ womb and fertilised by father’s semen.

Christian believe this involves a third party which goes against Christian teaching in marriage as believe it is adultery as woman who donated egg is not married to the man.

Also in IUI, if sperm donor is not married to woman carrying the child it could be regarded as adultery.

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22
Q

What are the issues that arise from medical complications in fertility treatment?

A

Greatest risk from IVF treatment is multiple births which affects both mother and unborn babies and is more dangerous than single births.

Increased risk of pregnancy-related health problems for mother, such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

Miscarriage rates also higher, babies more likely to be born prematurely and increased risk of lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

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23
Q

What are the issues that arise from designer babies in fertility treatment?

A

When embryo modified to produce desirable qualities.

Currently illegal but might allow couples to select qualities they would like baby to have when receiving fertilised donor egg, e.g. sex of child.

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24
Q

What are the issues that arise from identity in fertility treatment?

A

Children born from IUI from donor may experience difficult emotions when find out how they were conceived.

From 2005 law allowed donor children right to identify biological parents when turn 18, but does not apply for those born before 2005.

Sperm usually donated anonymously through licences fertility clinic, ensures donor not legal parent of child.

If donated through private arrangement, law on who child’s parents will be is not straightforward. Woman who gives birth always legal mother but possible donor will be regarded as legal father of child. They have parental and financial responsibility under law.

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25
What are the issues that arise from three-parent IVF in fertility treatment?
In December 2016 HFEA approved procedure where babies can be made from 2 woman and 1 man. Developed by scientists to prevent children being born with deadly genetic diseases passed on by mother. Genetic material from donor used to correct certain conditions found in embryo. However, DNA of child permanently altered, scientists changing nature of child and future descendants.
26
For how long can any spare embryos be used for research?
14 days before being destroyed.
27
Why is embryo experimentation only allowed for up to 14 days?
After 14 days embryo at stage of development when it becomes a distinct individual and no longer form a twin.
28
What are the main points of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990?
1. Called for an authority to be set up to monitor fertility treatment, have power to grant or refuse license to fertility treatment clinics. 2. Human embryos produced for research must be discarded after 14 days and cannot be implanted into woman’s womb. 3. Sperm from donors can be used in up to 10 fertility treatments and donors can remain anonymous. 4. Financial gain from surrogacy is illegal.
29
What are the main points of the amended Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008?
1. Gave same-sex couples using fertility treatment right to name both partners on child’s birth certificate. 2. Banned sex selection of children for non-medical reasons. 3. Made saviour sibling procedures legal.
30
What is a saviour sibling?
Baby born as are tissue match for older brother or sister who has a genetic disease.
31
When was the first successful saviour sibling operation in the UK?
2010
32
How does embryo experimentation help scientists?
Helps to discover more about genetic diseases and disorders.
33
What is genetic engineering?
Altering or replacing genes to help people suffering from genetic diseases.
34
What are stem cells?
Cells that can be developed into different parts of the body.
35
How can stem cells be used to help people with genetic diseases?
Stem cells from embryos used to grow healthy cells in body to help people with diseases like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease. Used to grow organs such as livers or kidneys, which are transplanted into body through surgery.
36
What are the Catholic Church teachings on embryo experimentation?
Believes life begins at conception and is against embryo experimentation. Since treated from conception as person, embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being. Others are in favour of embryo research up to 14 days and with limited stem cell research. Do not agree with creating embryos solely for research but accept spare embryos from IVF treatment can be used in this way.
37
What are the Church of England teachings on embryo experimentation?
Affirmed the sanctity of human embryo and the need to treat it with profound respect. Accepts that under certain circumstances, embryo research may be permissible as long as intention is to alleviate human suffering, no viable alternative method is available, all embryos are treated with respect and not permitted to develop beyond UK legal limit of 14 days.
38
What are the Church of Ireland teachings on embryo experimentation?
Not comfortable with use of spare embryos for research as use of cells from them is not to embryo’s benefit. Unacceptable to create embryos specifically for research with intention of destroying it. Research into adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood cells should be given much higher priority.
39
What is surrogacy?
Another woman becomes pregnant, carries and gives birth to baby for someone who wants to have a child be is unable to do so.
40
Why do people choose to use surrogacy?
If woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term herself, usually for medical reasons.
41
What are the 2 types of surrogacy?
Traditional surrogacy Gestational surrogacy
42
What is traditional surrogacy?
Husband or partner’s sperm used to fertilise surrogate mother’s egg.
43
What is gestational surrogacy?
Surrogate mother becomes pregnant with baby she is not genetically related to. Egg either donated or comes from intended mother. Egg fertilised through IVF and placed into surrogate mother’s womb.
44
What are the laws around surrogacy?
Surrogate mother gives up all rights and responsibilities of child. Done by making application to family court to become baby’s legal parents, involves a lot of trust from both sides. Illegal to advertise for surrogate in UK. Non-profit agencies can help couple find match. Surrogacy not funded through NHS so has to be privately funded. Costs include fertility treatment and court fee. Illegal to make profit from surrogacy.
45
What are the issues arising from surrogacy?
1. Some Christian’s uncomfortable as consider it third person being involved in family planning as form of adultery. 2. Surrogacy agreements are not legally binding. If woman wants to keep baby, in most cases, courts rule in favour of original surrogacy agreement, however, well-being of child always comes first. 3. Illegal surrogacy as people desperate for child may be willing to pay for baby without going through proper channels. 4. Child may want to find his or her biological mother when he or she is older.
46
What are the Biblical teachings on the sanctity of life on new reproductive technologies?
Life begins at conception and therefore is sacred as human being are created in image of God: “Then God said, ‘ And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us.’” (Genesis 1:26) God has planned our lives before birth: “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Life should be protected and respected, means that destroying embryos could be regarded as murder: “Do not commit murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
47
What are the Catholic Church teachings on the sanctity of life on new reproductive technologies?
Teaches that embryos have right to be respected as person from moment of conception. Condemns IUI, IVF and surrogacy. Opposed to embryo experimentation which experiments were not of direct therapeutic benefit to foetus. Violates human dignity, reducing embryos to objects and instruments of scientific knowledge.
48
What are the Catholic Church teachings on the importance of marriage and family on new reproductive technologies?
Against IVF, believes child has right to be conceived within marriage as result of gift of sexual union of husband and wife.
49
What are the Anglican Church teachings on the importance of marriage and family on new reproductive technologies?
Accepts IVF in all its forms, including donation of eggs and sperm by third parties. However expresses concern at offering fertility treatment to single women and gay couples. “Bringing care of adoptive home to needy child is wholly different circumstance to deciding in advance to use IVF technology to bring into world a child who will never have a father or sometimes mother. Sends signal that everyone has right to child and this right over-rules consideration of child’s welfare.”
50
What are the Christian Church teachings on playing God on new reproductive technologies?
Fertility treatment scientists are taking role of playing God. Argue having a baby is a gift from God. It is not a right and if a couple are unable to conceive then they should accept that as God’s will for them. Others argue God helps people to have children in 1 Samuel 1:9-18 tells of Hannah’s longing for child. She prayed consistently to become pregnant and her prayers were answered: “So it was that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, and explained ‘I asked the Lord for him.’” Therefore fertility treatment is way for scientists to use their God-given intelligence, skills and creativity to help benefit childless couples. Through embryo research, scientists can help to relieve suffering brought on by disease and help people to have better lives.
51
What does the HFEA stand for?
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
52
What is the HFEA?
First statutory body to regulate and control fertility treatment anywhere in world.
53
What is the main function of the HFEA?
To licence, monitor and inspect fertility clinics and human embryo research centres in UK.
54
What does the HFEA aim to do?
1. Ensure everyone who steps into fertility clinic, and everyone born as result of treatment, receives high quality care. 2. By licensing, monitoring and inspecting fertility clinics. 3. By providing free, clear and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
55
What is regulation?
Making sure fertility clinics and research centres follow law to ensure high-quality care and research.
56
What act must all fertility clinics and human embryo research centres in the UK follow?
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990, 2008).
57
What research does the HFEA regulate?
Research using human embryos. Embryos that are created for research cannot be implanted into womb and must be destroyed after 14 days.
58
What information does the HFEA provide on fertility treatments?
Fertility drugs to IVF. Using donated eggs, sperm and embryos. Risks of treatment. Having treatment abroad.
59
What information does the HFEA provide on egg freezing?
How process works. Its success rates and risks.
60
What is egg freezing?
Way of preserving woman’s fertility so she can try and have children when she is older.
61
What information does the HFEA provide on donating eggs or sperm?
How to donate eggs, sperm or embryos. How existing donors can get information.
62
How many babies are conceived with the help of a donor every year?
About 2000
63
What information does the HFEA provide on researching clinics?
How to choose a clinic, prepare for appointment and what to do if something goes wrong.
64
What should a great fertility clinic provide?
Compassionate staff. Clear pricing. Easy administrative processes. Exceptional emotional support.
65
What information does the HFEA provide on donors and genetic siblings?
Donor-conceived people and their parents can apply for information on their donor and any donor-conceived siblings. HFEA collects information from people who donate at licensed UK fertility clinics.
66
What information does the HFEA provide on costs and funding?
Two fertility treatment options: 1. Paying for it yourself. 2. Eligibility on NHS.
66
What information does the HFEA provide on costs and funding?
Two fertility treatment options: 1. Paying for it yourself. 2. Eligibility on NHS.

S2 Religion (8 decks)

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