6. Legal aanndd EEtthhiiccaall DDiilleemmmmaass
AAbboorrttiioonn
TTeerrmmiinnaattiioonn ooff aa pprreeggnnaannccyy
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
SSppoonnttaanneeoouuss
IInndduucceedd
Abortion is legal.
What are the ethical issues?
6
8. Legal aanndd EEtthhiiccaall DDiilleemmmmaass
EEuutthhaannaassiiaa
((mercy killing)
Voluntary
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
Involuntary
Assisted
The act of ending the
life of an individual in
a painless manner.
Individual is usually
suffering from a
terminal illness.
8
9. LLeeggaall aanndd EEtthhiiccaall
DDiilleemmmmaass
AAddvvaanncceedd DDiirreeccttiivveess
Legal documents that allow the patient to
state the end of life treatments they would
or would not want, in the event that they
become unable to make those decisions.
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
9
10. Legal and Ethical
DDiilleemmmmaass
LLiivviinngg WWiillll Patient’s document that states specific
measures to be taken or not taken to
prolong life.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Hydration
Medication
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
10
11. Legal and Ethical Issues
PPoowweerr ooff AAttttoorrnneeyy
Document that names the person that will
make healthcare decisions for the patient
that is unable to do so.
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
11
12. Legal aanndd EEtthhiiccaall DDiilleemmmmaass
OOrrggaann DDoonnaattiioonn
The removal of healthy
tissues from one person
for the purpose of
transplanting them into
another person.
Donor can be living or
recently deceased.
1.04 Understand legal and ethical
issues
12
Possible ethical issues/topics for discussion on abortion:
Comparative rights – does the fetus have the same rights to life as the mom has to determine her future?
Question of personhood – when does a baby’s personhood begin? At conception or the day of birth?
Sanctity of human life – do we believe that all human life is sacred, and, thus, that the direct and intentional taking of an innocent human life is a proper act?
Abortion from a utilitarian perspective: The question is not can the fetus reason or talk, but can they suffer?
Types of Euthanasia
Voluntary – by consent of the individual (patient)
Involuntary – another person makes a decision for the individual
Assisted – another person provides information, guidance, means to end life
The following organs/tissues can be donated/transplanted:
HeartTendons
IntestinesCorneas
LungsHeart Valves
LiverBone Marrow
PancreasVeins
BonesSkin