Scientific and religious controversies about the beginning of human life: the relevance of the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient
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Abstract
In this paper we show that the question, “When does human life begin?”, is not one question, but three. The first question is, “When does human biological life begin?”, and is a scientific question. A brief review of embryology is provided to answer this question. The second question is, “When do obligations to protect human life begin?”, and is a question of general theological and philosophical ethics. A brief review of major world religions and philosophy is provided to answer this question but has no settled answer and therefore involves irresolvable controversy. The third question is, “How should physicians respond to disagreement about when obligations to protect human life begin?” and is a question for professional medical ethics. A review of the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is provided to answer this question. Physicians should manage the irresolvable controversy surrounding the second question by appealing to the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient. It is philosophically sound, respectful of all religious traditions and the personal convictions of patients and physicians alike, and clinically applicable.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Gastroschisis: brief early history
- Reply
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Intrauterine growth restriction and risk for arterial hypertension: a causal relationship?
- Clinical-radiological features of fractures in premature infants – a review
- Scientific and religious controversies about the beginning of human life: the relevance of the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient
- The status of the embryo in Buddhism: opinions on scientific and religious controversies about the beginning of human life
- The calcium binding protein, S100B, is increased in the amniotic fluid of women with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation and preterm labor with intact or ruptured membranes
- Validity of amniotic fluid index in preterm rupture of membranes
- Activity of adenosine deaminase in mothers who have conceived a fetus with central nervous system malformations
- Ductus venosus Doppler measurement during labor
- Fetal scalp pH and ST analysis of the fetal ECG as an adjunct to cardiotocography to predict fetal acidosis in labor / A multi-center, case controlled study
- Comparison of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography in lung volume measurement of normal fetuses
- MRI and multiplanar 3D ultrasound compared in the prenatal assessment of enlarged posterior fossa
- Monochorionic twins in which at least one fetus has a congenital heart disease with or without twin-twin transfusion syndrome
- Enriched post-discharge formula versus term formula for bone strength in very low birth weight infants: a longitudinal pilot study
- Which information will be given to parents of preterm infants – a comparison of estimates and local data
- Intestinal trefoil factor in treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in the rat model
- Impact of being small-for-gestational age on survival and long-term outcome of extremely premature infants born at 23–27 weeks' gestation
- Gastroschisis: brief early history
- Reply
- Congress Calendar
