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Results for “Beginning of Human Life”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Gynaecology and ethics.

The link between gynaecology and ethics, one time neglected, turns out to be inevitable. The gynaecologist's work has to be oriented to the highest value on the earth, i.e., to the human person, considered in both its developmental and social dimensions. The task of a doctor (physician) is to further the health of the human person, and the specific task of the gynaecologist and obstetrician is to help professionally in the transmission of human life. To fulfill this task, they have to know the correct answer to the question when human life begins, the answer given by embryology and medical thermodynamics. The human embryo has to be considered and treated as a human person. This includes the exclusion of such acts as direct or indirect abortion, experimental use of embryos, and all kinds of genetic manipulation. The right ways of human fertilization are a consequence of the dignity of the child and of the married couple, as well as of their right to love and to be loved. It excludes the insemination, the homogeneous and heterogeneous fertilization in vitro, and the surrogate motherhood. The gynaecologists, obstetricians and midwives have to refuse to perform the nocive or immoral interventions. They should be ready to do their best in helping people in the right transmission of human life.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1989

Brain life and brain death: a proposal for a normative agreement.

This paper reviews moral and cultural assessments which led to the definition of brain death and calls for a similar normative consensus regarding the moral recognition and legal protection of embryonal life related to criteria of brain life. This paper differentiates between cortical brain life I, i.e., the first existence of post-mitotic stationary neurons forming the early cortical plate (54th day post conception), and cortical brain life II, i.e., the beginning of cortical neuro-neuronal synapses (after the 70th day p.c.). The latter are preconditional for establishing the communicative network within the cortex and with subcortical structures. The paper conservatively calls for a tentative moral consensus that could recognize brain life I, i.e., the 54th day p.c., as a stage prior to which embryo research generally would be acceptable in accordance with principles similar to those which led to the acceptance of brain death. Other developmental stages such as fertilization, nidation, viability, as well as the 'potentiality' principle are less significant for the moral recognition of early human life.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1978

Prenatal life.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1975

Some legal implications of advances in human genetics.

The law which, to some extent at least, reflects contemporary mores, has not kept pace with the recent scientific advances in genetics. Because of the rate of advance in the science of genetics there is a real risk that we shall know how to change the traditional nature of man before we possess the knowledge necessary to enable us to use the new knowledge for humane purposes. Clonal reproduction may produce a creature who, for the purposes of the law, especially the criminal law, which defines when a child becomes a human being in terms of "old-fashioned" motherhood, may not be a human being, so that putting him to death may not be homicide. Similarly, in vitro fertilization and development in an artificial uterus may result in the "birth" of one who, though having human attributes, may not, in law, be a human being. While cloning and in vitro fertilization may not have immediate legal implications because of the state of the art, genetic manipulation in the form of amniocentesis has very real legal implications now because it is a matter of current practice. The assumption that detection of genetic abnormality in the foetus is a beneficial development because it enables parents to have the option of terminating the pregnancy, though valid in the United Kingdom and the United States, is invalid in Canada. Abortion on demand is not part of the law in Canada and the liberalization of the abortion provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada in 1969 expressly avoided including as a criterion for therapeutic abortion the risk that the child, if born, would be likely to suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped. Beyond the more technical issues raised by scientific advances, however, lies the fundamental question whether a handicapped life is a life not worth living.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Euthanasia and the physician].

The problem of Euthanasia is approached in the light of the Hippocratic principles, which have not changed with time but have only been adapted to new scientific and social developments. The definition of what constitutes Euthanasia is clarified and the need to avoid that semantic mutations may manipulate ideas is stressed, so that what is certainly wrong does not seem to appear as right. The uniqueness and individuality of the human being is emphasized as well as the commitment of doctors to their patients wellbeing, although at times a balance may be needed in relation to some apparently conflicting interests of society as a whole. The importance of the doctor/patient relationship is stressed, particularly in the final stages of terminal disease. Decisions concerning life and death, although preferably to be shared, still rest most times upon the doctor's shoulders alone. The respect for the wishes of the patients, their right to know the truth and its limits, the use of the living will, the right to die in dignity, the use of ordinary or extraordinary means of treatment, the concept of brain death and the rules for resuscitation, are commented upon. In all cases, the need for a global and individualized approach is mandatory before any final decision is made. Total respect for human life, from its beginning to its end is emphasized, intentional killing, for whatever reason or motivation, is firmly rejected. Reference is made to national and international codes of ethics as well as to declarations and statements of the World Medical Association.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Euthanasia↗
PubMed1989

Developing ethical public policy on reproduction and prenatal research: whose interests deserve what protection?

Have physicians and medical researchers begun to play God? Many procedures, including in vitro fertilization, involve treating and transferring embryos: this constitutes experimentation on human beings without the capacity to consent. Will medical ethics meet an increasing societal commitment towards ever greater respect and protection of human life from non-therapeutic experimentation? The medico-ethical aspects of this sensitive and complex issue are examined in detail.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1990

A legal perspective of the concept of life.

The problem of defining life is discussed, using as foundation Herman Dooyeweerd's philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea, which holds that life is indefineable. Contemporary legal and philosophical writings concerning the exact moments of life and death are explored. While conceding the importance of these in the determination of the precise beginning and end of legal personhood, the author concludes that the concept of life is unfathomable.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1989

Brain life and brain death--the anencephalic as an explanatory example. A contribution to transplantation.

The current debate regarding the suitability of anencephalics as organ donors is due primarily to misunderstandings. The anatomical and neurophysiological literature shows that the anencephalic lacks a cerebrum because of the failure of neuralplate fusion. However, even the incomplete function of an atrophic brain stem is currently accepted at law in most if not all countries as sufficient for brain life: which is to say, cessation of breathing is currently required in order to make the diagnosis of brain death. Because of the extensive incompleteness of the anencephalic's brain, it is not possible to postpone death significantly by mechanical ventilation and intravenous feeding. It is acceptable to maintain life for a short period of time in order to allow organ transplantation subsequent to the declaration of death at the point of cessation of the capacity for spontaneous respiration. The most important issue is not transplantation, but the issue of brain life raised by the case of anencephalics. Since brain life in any significant sense begins only after the closure of the neural tube on the 30th day after conception, it is reasonable to take this as the point at which brain life begins. Laws should be amended in all countries to allow the abortion of anencephalics at any time, in that they do not at any time possess brain life.

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed1992

New realities and old classifications: a problem in medical ethics.

Advances in research and technology are forcing us to confront hitherto unknown forms of life on both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Genetically engineered cells, human embryos growing in Petri dishes or preserved in freezers, human beings without hearts or functioning brains, these are just a few examples of the new forms of life. The challenge now is to determine what actions relative to these unfamiliar realities are morally acceptable.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1991

Ethical and legal implications in IVF and prenatal diagnosis in the U.K.

The natural desire for couples to be parents and the medical practitioner's inability to treat most genetic diseases have been responsible for some of the most exciting research into infertility and genetic disorders. This has led in the United Kingdom to the establishment of the Warnock Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilization and its report in 1984, and to a Review of the guidance on Research Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material published in 1989 and known as the Polkinghorne Report. The Warnock Report, among other ethical issues, considers the most fundamental question which has been debated for thousands of years, namely, What is life and when does it begin? More recently, the report has been responsible for new legislation which imposes ethical and legal restrictions on the scientific and medical community. The Polkinghorne Report recommends a voluntary code of practice which is morally and ethically acceptable within our society. We are also fortunate in the U.K. to have a parliamentary structure which allows debate on such important human issues and is prepared to impose ethical restrictions.

Abortion, Induced↗