ABORTION AND BIOMEDICAL ETHICS

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This session we are going to finish the readings on abortion, then go back and look at the report of the presidential commission on cloning. Read pages 359-379, then pages 307-26
Do these discussion questions, and post on the forum:
(1) (Marquis) p. 370, #2, 3, or 4
(2) (Harris) p. 379, “Review and Discussion Questions,” #1, 2, or 4
(3) (Presidential Commission) page 326, #2
II. Here are some videos and transcripts that raise moral questions. Choose any two topics, describe the video you watched or news story you read, and respond to it on the forum. The topics are: (1) sex selection abortion, (2) whether some infants ought not to be born or ought to be allowed to die; (3) stem cells; (4) cloning and genetic engineering or (5) parental rights for rapists.
a. Give your reactions to these stories on the Discussion Forum. Use any readings from this course to support your view.
i. Sex-selection abortion (link)
Links to an external site.
1. Discuss the issue of choosing abortion dependent on the gender of the fetus
ii. Link
Links to an external site. “Premature Babies” OR Link
Links to an external site. “right not to be born”
2. Discuss: are there some children who should be allowed to die rather than be kept alive?
iii. The question of stem cells (if the videos won’t play don’t worry about it): You may use one or more of these stories to discuss this issue:
3. “Embryonic Stem Cell Research:” Link
Links to an external site.
i. Link
Links to an external site.
ii. “Stem Cell Dilemmas” Link
Links to an external site.
iii. “Religious Views on Stem Cell Research” Link
Links to an external site.
4. QUESTION; Is it consistent to be both “pro-life” and pro-stem cell research? Is this killing babies? Is it immoral not to do stem cell research?
Cloning:
i. —Ethics of Cloning: Link
Links to an external site.
ii. —-President’s Council on Bioethics: Link
Links to an external site.
iv. Link
Links to an external site. Story about “clone factory” in China
v. This is a story on genetic engineering. Is the commission report on cloning relevant to understanding this story (or vice versa)? Why or why not? www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1051/cover.html
Links to an external site.
vi. Here’s another story on genetic engineering. It is an opinion piece rather than a news report, but you can still discuss what you think about the opinions and how the commission report on clon
Links to an external site.
5. Discuss: what do the stories or web sites you examined suggest are the major issues concerning human cloning? After looking at these materials, do you favor legalized cloning of humans? Why or why not?
I also very highly recommend Star Trek: The Next Generation, episode 218: ‘Up the Long Ladder.’ You could also consider “The Hulk” movies as commentaries on genetic engineering, particularly the first one directed by Ang Lee.
6. Parental Rights for Rapists
This issue got more attention with the strict abortion bans recently passed in Alabama and elsewhere. In some states, a rapist can demand parental visitation rights for the child he conceived through the attack. Discuss: What would Harris say about this news story? What about Marquis? Link

 

Sample Solution

Discussion Forum Responses

  1. Philosophical Readings:
  1. Don Marquis (p. 370, #3): The Future of Abortion

Marquis argues that a fetus has a right to life if it has a “future like ours.” This future includes the potential to experience things like value, pleasure, and suffering.

Question: At what point in development does a fetus acquire this “future like ours”? Marquis doesn’t provide a clear answer. Is it at conception, during a specific stage of development, or dependent on individual circumstances? This ambiguity makes it difficult to apply his theory in real-world situations.

  1. Moral Issues in Science and Technology:
  2. Sex-Selection Abortion

Sex-selection abortion raises concerns about gender discrimination and the devaluation of female life. While some argue it’s a woman’s right to choose, others see it as a slippery slope towards eugenics.

Course Readings:

  • Don Marquis (p. 370): If a fetus has the potential for a valuable future, then sex-selection abortion could be morally problematic depending on the reasoning behind it.
  • John Harris (p. 379): Harris emphasizes autonomy and the woman’s right to choose. However, he might argue that sex-selection based on sexist preferences is morally wrong.
  1. Stem Cell Research

The ethical debate surrounding stem cell research centers on the destruction of embryos. While it holds immense potential for treating diseases, some view it as destroying human life.

Course Readings:

  • John Harris (p. 379): Harris might advocate for a utilitarian approach, balancing the potential benefits of stem cell research against the moral weight of embryo destruction. He might consider restrictions on embryo research or prioritize research using adult stem cells.

Is it consistent to be pro-life and pro-stem cell research?

This depends on the specific pro-life stance. Some believe life begins at conception, making all embryo research morally wrong. Others might differentiate between early embryos with minimal development and those with greater potential. Here, the balance between potential benefits and moral considerations comes into play.

  1. Cloning

The ethical concerns surrounding cloning include the potential for exploitation, unknown risks, and questioning what it means to be human.

Course Readings:

  • The Presidential Commission on Cloning (p. 326): The report raises many of these concerns, advocating for a ban on human cloning while encouraging research on therapeutic cloning.

Do the stories on genetic engineering relate to the report on cloning?

Yes, there’s a connection. Both cloning and genetic engineering raise similar questions about manipulating human life and the potential consequences. The report on cloning highlights the need for careful consideration and ethical guidelines as these technologies develop.

Overall:

These resources offer diverse perspectives on complex bioethical issues. By understanding these arguments and considering the potential consequences, we can engage in informed discussions about the ethical application of new technologies in healthcare and science.

 

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