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Morality in the Modern World 2nd Edition: Teacher’s Book Additional Materials

Medical Ethics: The Use of Human Embryos

When does life begin?A Read pages 225-226. Imagine that the couple has written to you, an agony auntie in a magazine and you must write a response to their dilemma. Write your response here basing it on one of the following (or write your own response according to what you actually think….)

They shouldn’t allow the spare embryos to be used for research – these are their potential children – more than mere chemicals

They should allow the embryos to be used as they can help others through the scientific findings which using them might achieve

They should not have IVF – it is “meddling with nature” They should carry on with the IVF and accept the consequences of

producing more eggs than is strictly necessary

of 17 © Joe Walker 2011

Dear Couple….This is a very difficult decision for you and many other couples have faced the same concerns when thinking about what to do here…….


BRead pages 227-232. The following information relates to the various stages when life may or may not begin. Cut out the following 9 cards and lay them out on a table. Cut out the rest of the cards and put each piece of information underneath the correct possible point where life might begin.

Ovum and sperm The moment of conception

Ensoulment Implantation

The primal streak The quickening

Consciousness Viability

Birth

Where the two parts which go to make up the fertilised embryo are still separate

People who think this is when life begins would oppose the use of contraception

These individually have the ‘potential for life’

These cannot be when life begins because that would make a skin cell a potential life too

All the genetic information to make a person is found here

This is the combination of ovum and sperm

For some, this joining of two things is the start of the unbroken process of life

Some argue this fertilised ‘being’ is still a collection of cells

Some believe this happens anything from 40 – 90 days after conception

This is when the biological becomes the spiritual

Because this thing now has a soul it is now fully human

Differences of opinion about when this happens make it unlikely that this is when life begins



Where the pre-embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus

This takes place around 6-7 days after fertilisation

At this point the life of the developing embryo and its mother are bound together

The pre-embryo does not “decide” this – it’s just the next stage in development

Here, the basics of the nervous system begin

Perhaps from this point on the embryo can feel pain

This stage is linked to the 14-day rule for embryo research

Perhaps the neural system is beginning but perhaps that’s not the same as fully functioning

When the mother first feels the child moving

The mother may feels this , but there has always been movement of the embryo

Feeling this movement happens at different times for different mothers

The point at which brain activity can begin to be measured

At this point, the embryo has perhaps started thinking

The embryo may have brain activity but perhaps this is not the same as thinking

Thinking is regarded by some as a mark that the embryo is now ‘more human’

This is the point at which the embryo can survive outside the womb

It is linked to the 24th week of pregnancy limit

Some argue that if the baby can survive without its mother then it is clearly fully human

At this point the link between the mother and baby can be broken without the baby automatically ceasing to exist

This marks the end of pregnancy

Although the baby is no longer in its mother’s womb – it is still dependent upon others for its survival

Some see this is an unbroken continuum from dependence to independence

Even after this event, some people still argue that act against humans in ways that go against their wishes

There may be a difference of only a few seconds between this stage and the following stage



CRead pages 232–233. Which of the following statements is most likely to be said by?

A Christian A Buddhist A Secularist


Life begins at the moment of conception

From conception onwards the embryo has all it needs to be fully human

Life is a gift from God

Life is sacred A fertilised embryo is completely human

Life begins and ends all the time

Life, death and rebirth are a continuous process

All that is you flows like a river to the next you

A pre-embryo is simply a continuation of a previous existence

A pre embryo is fully human because it is fully linked to the kamma of the person that it was Life is not

sacred – not a gift of any god

There is probably a distinction between being potentially humans and fully human

Human life has value but we don’t always respect its value even in adult humans

Life may begin before birth but that doesn’t automatically mean the developing human should be protected from everything



Stem cell research

ARead pages 233-236 Match up the following words/phrases with their meanings

Word/phrase Meaning Blastocyst A common way to describe in-vitro

fertilisation Stem Cells Cells which have the potential to

grow into various forms of body tissue

HESCs Having the potential to become virtually any kind of body cell

IVF Undifferentiated cells sourced from embryos at around 5 days after fertilisation

Test-tube baby The container in which IVF is carried out

Petri dish A collection of undifferentiated cells

Pluripotent A cell which has not yet become linked to a specific organ or function

Undifferentiated Cell Fertilisation of an ovum outside of the uterus

B



Read pages 236-238 where you will find examples of differences of opinion within Christianity about stem cell research.

For each opinion complete the following summary of the arguments used to support that opinion using the following cards. You should complete the card and then pass to others in your class who can add or correct anything they think you have missed out or got wrong.

View Evidence or argument which supports this view

Using embryonic stem cells is wrong in all cases


Using embryonic stem cells is acceptable in some cases


Using embryonic stem cells is acceptable in all cases

C



Read page 238. Design a piece of artwork which links the Buddhist concept of karuna (compassion) to the issue of the sue of embryos/embryonic stem cells

D


Karuna……..


Read pages 238-239. each of the following statements is wrong (at least most secularists might argue so). Explain why it is wrong and write a correct version of the statement

1. Secularists support sanctity of life arguments2. Secularists regard life as having little value3. Carefully regulated embryonic stem cell research is morally

unacceptable because it is of no benefit4. A Utilitarian would argue that stem cell research is wrong because

it makes use of many in order to benefit only a few5. A blastocyst is fully human6. An early stage embryo has a fully developed brain and nervous

system so can suffer7. Secularists see no need for regulations concerning embryonic stem

cell research8. Kantian philosophy thinks that no-one has any duty to help others

through stem cell research9. For Kantians, there is no need to protect a developing embryo10.In Kantian ethics, using an embryo for research purposes is an

acceptable means to an end




IVF treatmentsARead pages 240-243. This explores the issue of IVF and some criticisms of it.

For each of the following criticisms, complete the empty box by explaining fully what the criticism is all about. Add your own view about this criticism too.

Criticism This means… My view of this is…

May affect the health of the woman going through it

May affect the health of any re-implanted fertilised ovum

May not be good for the mental health of the mother (or father)Has a low success rate

Uses up scarce medical resources



Is ‘playing God’

Could lead to a ‘slippery slope’

Could make designer babies a more acceptable idea

BRead pages 243-245. This explains the viewpoints of Christians, Buddhists and Secularists on the issue of IVF

The following sentences have been jumbled so that they make no sense. When ordered correctly each one will express a viewpoint which might be said by a Christian, Buddhist or Secularist. Organise each sentence so that it makes sense and then identify which viewpoint it is linked to:

1. Some Christians oppose IVF completely with the natural processes of reproduction Therefore, they would be likely to accept the donation of sperm and ova

2. One Christians view is that the risks because they see it as a valid medical intervention

3. In Christianity, IVF is wrong because it interferes with natural family relationships

4. One Roman Catholic view is that IVF interferes of IVF processes are too high

5. Some Christians however would support IVF in a limited way no matter what kind of relationship you are in

6. However, while some Christians support IVF, they would only support it in the context of a stable married relationship

7. Some Christians accept IVF in all cases



8. For Buddhists, the principle of compassion is important. because they think it is playing God

9. Buddhists would also duty to help 10.Secularists would probably support IVF others and perhaps this can be

done through IVF11.For a Secularist, IVF is just another medical procedure12.However, Secularists would also want to be careful about IVF because

it might be a step along the path to full genetic selection13.Utilitarians might argue that IVF benefits the majority and so is

acceptable14.However, Utilitarians might also question IVF if it is heading in the

direction of full genetic selection15.For Kantians, we have a they would be likely to support IVF


Answers for teachers!1. Some Christians oppose IVF completely because they think it is playing God2. One Christians view is that the risks of IVF processes are too high3. In Christianity, IVF is wrong because it interferes with natural family relationships4. One Roman Catholic view is that IVF interferes with the natural processes of reproduction5. Some Christians however would support IVF in a limited way6. However, while some Christians support IVF, they would only support it in the context of a stable married

relationship7. Some Christians accept IVF in all cases because they see it as a valid medical intervention8. For Buddhists, the principle of compassion is important. Therefore, they would be likely to support IVF9. Buddhists would also accept the donation of sperm and ova10. Secularists would probably support IVF no matter what kind of relationship you are in11. For a Secularist, IVF is just another medical procedure12. However, Secularists would also want to be careful about IVF because it might be a step along the path to

full genetic selection13. Utilitarians might argue that IVF benefits the majority and so is acceptable14. However, Utilitarians might also question IVF if it is heading in the direction of full genetic selection15. For Kantians, we have a duty to help others and perhaps this can be done through IVF



Genetic Selection ARead pages 246-249 and then complete the following table:

Form of Genetic Selection

Benefits Dangers

PGD

Germline Therapy

B



Using the information above, write a newspaper article which supports or rejects either PGD or Germline Therapy using the following template:

1. Explanatory section explaining what your chosen area is2. A written argument supporting this process3. A written argument opposing this process

Your article should be aimed at the general public and so should be relatively simple (avoiding too much scientific jargon)

CRead pages 249-251. Your task is now to have a balloon debate where a Christian, Buddhist and Secularist talk through the issues related to Genetic Selection. Your class should vote off (one by one) those who don’t convince them!

Here are some help cards for each viewpoint:

Christian Buddhist Secularist Some completely oppose

genetic selection because it’s playing God

An embryo is valued by God

Only God should decide what lives or dies

But you can use it to help families who have genetically passed-on conditions

But it should not be used for gender selection

That would lead to the ‘slippery slope’ argument

However, embryo research can provide benefits which Christians should not automatically reject

Genetic selection could ‘fall into the wrong hands’ and be misused

Humans do not have the ability to deal with the moral complexities of this process

Genetic selection can be supported if it reduces suffering

It could cancel out the possibility of inherited illness

But it should probably not be used for cosmetic purposes because this would be a desire and desire is to be avoided

Children should not be made the way we want them to be – they should be allowed to develop naturally

Genetic selection would give parents too much power over their children’s future and this is wrong

It could be used as just another medical procedure and so help people a lot

Even saviour siblings isn’t all bad – because it would be helping someone as a “by product” of a wanted child anyway

Perhaps some gender selection is desirable where gender-related illnesses can be prevented

If you want to choose how your child looks or what features it has – that’s up to you – it’s a free world

But of course, if everyone could choose then that might make the world a very odd place

If genetic selection benefits the majority (even at the expense of the minority) then it is to be welcomed

It is our duty to help people wherever we can – if genetic selection can do this then why not…




HFEA guidelines/UK Law

ARead pages 251-252 and carry out some research into the HEA guidelines and UK law:

Then complete the following information sheet:


The purpose of the HFEA Guidelines The basics of the Human fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990

Research up to the 14th day of development is permitted for at least one of these reasons

Conditions which the HFEA guidelines supports



Moral Implications of the Use of Embryos

ARead pages 253-254

For each of the following statements, explain whether a Christian would be most likely to agree or disagree with the statement. If you are not sure, then explain why you are uncertain.

1. Life begins at the moment of conception2. Using embryos for research purposes is ‘playing God’3. The embryo can be used for research purposes up until the 14th day

of its development4. Sometimes embryo research is acceptable because of the greater

good it can bring5. In an ideal world there would be no need for embryo research6. Embryos should never be sued for research purposes7. The embryo is not a person8. Embryos have rights, but not full human rights9. Embryo research can be carried out for any reason10.animal-human hybrid research is wrong11.Christians would be against any processes involving parthenogenic

embryos12.The Christian Church is united against germline therapy13.Cloning may be acceptable in some cases

BRead page 255. For each of the following statements, explain whether a Buddhist would be most likely to agree or disagree with the statement. If you are not sure, then explain why you are uncertain.

1. Buddhists believe that using embryos for research is ‘playing God’2. There is one unified Buddhist response to embryo research3. According to Buddhists, humans can do anything they want to as

far as embryos is concerned4. Buddhists would reject all genetic technologies5. The Dalai Lama once said that the creation of a perfectly good

person would be a good idea



6. The Buddhist principle of compassion plays no part in Buddhist thinking about embryo research

7. Kamma plays a role in Buddhist thinking about embryo research8. It would be possible for a Buddhist to support the use of embryos

where this might bring benefits to others9. The intention of the action in Buddhism is an important part of

whether or not embryo research is acceptable

CRead pages 255-256 and visit the website of the British Humanist Association (you might also like to look at the links on this site to other Humanist organisations around the world.

Complete the boxes with viewpoints/beliefs about the use of embryos for research purposes. Indicate which religion or viewpoint holds this belief/view. Now draw a line between boxes where you think the belief/views shared by more than one religion/viewpoint


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