Transcript Who is my neighbour 1? The so

The perfect person1. The moral
landscape of new reproductive
technologies
David Carpenter
30th September 2015
Portsmouth Cathedral
Pre-Conception
Choice
Chance
Neonate
Pre-Conception
Choice
Chance
Neonate
Pre-Conception
Choice
Chance
Neonate
Pre-Conception
Moral questions related
to status
Neonate
Moral questions related to autonomy and
liberty
Choice
Chance
Why would you?
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Eradication of disease
Eradication of disability
Promotion of choice
Combatting childlessness
Saving resources
Scientific advancement
Why wouldn’t you?
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Eugenics
Slippery slopes
Interference with nature / God’s will
Demographic consequences
Socio-political issues
Interventions
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Pre-relationship
Pre-conception
IVF – selective implantation
Genetic modification
Pregnancy screening
ToP
Selective treatment of severely handicapped
neonates
Pre-Relationship /Conception
So how do our genes
match up?
Genetic Risks
Relationship
R
Parent-child
1/2
Full Sib
1/2
Half Sib
1/4
Double First Cousins (first degree)
1/2
Double First Cousins
1/4
Grandparent-grandchild
1/4
Uncle-niece and Aunt-nephew
1/4
Selective Implantation
Genetic Modification
Available foetal and pregnancy screening tests
There are a number of foetal screening tests that are
offered as part of your antenatal care. this article covers:
the anomaly scan
screening for spina bifida
screening for sickle cell and thalasaemia
screening for Downs syndrome
amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling
cystic fibrosis.
non-invasive prenatal diagnosis
Before you make any decisions, it is important that you
(and your partner) think about the implications of going
ahead with any pregnancy screening tests.
https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/foetal-screening-pregnancy
Termination of pregnancy
• Section 58 - offence of using drugs or instruments to procure
abortion, replaced section 6 of the Offences against the
Person Act 1837, and provides:
• 58. Every woman, being with child, who, with intent to procure
her own miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any
poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any
instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent, and
whosoever, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any
woman whether she be or be not with child, shall unlawfully
administer to her or cause to be taken by her any poison or
other noxious thing, or unlawfully use any instrument or other
means whatsoever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony,
and being convicted thereof shall be liable . . . to be kept in
penal servitude for life .
Later Legislation
• Infant Life Preservation Act 1929 (28
weeks)
• Abortion Act 1967 (28 weeks)
• Human Fertilsation and Embryology Act
1990 (24 weeks)
Key Issues
• ‘Social’ abortions
• Selective reduction
• Late abortions
Selective Treatment of
Severely Handicapped
Neonates
Charlotte – The Facts
Born 3 months premature,
weighing 1 lb and
measuring only 5 inches in
length
Seriously damaged heart
and lungs – brain not
growing
Constant oxygen and tube
fed
Resuscitated 3 times
Blind, deaf and
unresponsive
Feels pain
Parents’ Views
Charlotte is resilient – she has bounced back 3 times
We must keep fighting all the time there is some hope
Good chance of survival
Charlotte’s a fighter – her future is in God’s hands
Life must be preserved at all costs
Doctors’ Views
It would be cruel to resuscitate Charlotte again – she can only face a future
of further pain and suffering
It is not in her best interests to perform further aggressive treatment
She will never leave hospital
Treatment would be futile
If she arrests, all reasonable attempts will be made to keep her alive until
her parents are able to be with her
All attempts should be made to manage her current condition aiming to
reduce pain and keep her as comfortable as possible
Key Ethical Issues
Right to life
Letting die vs killing
Duties
Pleasures and pains
Slippery slopes
Selective Treatment of Severely Handicapped Neonates
1. It is morally permissible to let severely handicapped neonates die
2. Intentionally letting babies die is morally equivalent to killing them
3. It is morally permissible to kill severely handicapped neonates
Selective Treatment of Severely Handicapped Neonates
1. It is morally permissible to let severely handicapped neonates die
2. Intentionally letting babies die is morally equivalent to killing them
3. Killing is wrong
4. Intentionally letting babies die is wrong
Problematic Arguments
Sanctity of life
Acts and omissions
Ordinary and extraordinary means
The conjoined twins example