Double Effect

Question 1

Principle of double effect

Answer 1

It can be morally permissible to do something that has both a good and a bad effect, if the bad effect isn’t the effect which is intended
The good action trumps the other

Question 2

4 principles of double effect

Answer 2

Nature of act
Means end condition
Right intention condition
Proportionality

Question 3

Medical ethics - should a doctor give a terminally ill pateient more pain killers, even if they shorten their lifespan

Answer 3

Nature of the act- reduce patients pain is a good act
Means end- the means in the painkiller and the ends is pain relief with the unintended side effect of death
Intention - help relieve pain
Propoionality- the relief of extreme pain justifies hastening life span

Therefore, the final verdict under the requirements of the double effect theory is to allow the doctor to prescribe more pain killers

Question 4

What is ectopic pregnancy

Answer 4

When the embryo gets released outside the uterus and is stuck in the fallopian tube where it cannot survive

Question 5

Why is the use of methotrexate to abort an ectopic pregnancy not fulfilled by the 4 conditions

Answer 5

Methotrexate- a pill typically used to target cancer by reducing the cells from dividing and multiplying can be used to treat ectopic pregnancy as the objective is to destroy the action of the embryos surrounding tissues which ultimately results in its death

Means end is not met- the death of the embryo is not an unintended side effect. Methotrexate specifically targets the embryo to resolve th ectopic pregnancy

Right intention-doctors intended to stop embryos growth by terminating it, intended murder is never the right intention

Question 6

Why is a salpingectomy morally permissible

Answer 6

Salpingectomy removing fallopian tube with embryo is considered licit(allowed) under PDE because the embryos earth is an indirect side effect, not the means and the intention of the doctor is to remove the tube, no kill the embryo

Question 7

Criticise both methotrexate and salpingectomy

Answer 7

But if the embryo is already non viable and destined to die regardless due to its position in the fallopian tube, why does it matter whether we use methotrexate or surgery? If the outcome (death) is inevitable, it wont matter how we terminate it as it doesn’t change the final result

Question 8

Criticise salpingectomy

Answer 8

However, salpingectomy also doesn’t meet the primary precepts. For example, salpingectomy is a massive surgery that could cause intense haemorrhage if it goes wrong which will poses significant risks for both mother and baby, therefore ruling out preservation of life. Moreover by removing half of the fallopian tube, you are halving the chances of fertility as a women can’t get more eggs which means there is a less chance of becoming impregnated which thus rules out the precept of reproduction. ,