Bioethics for VIth Formers

8/3/2019 Bioethics for VIth Formers

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Bioethics for VIth formers

Bioethics What is bioethics?

Humans and other animals Some issues of human reproduction

Linda Baggott la Velle([email protected])


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What is Bioethics?Biology:the science of life is concerned

with the normal structure and function ofliving things at various levels oforganisation

Biomedical Science:usually incorporatesbiochemistry, physiology, pharmacologyandmedicine (human and veterinary)

Ethics:sometimes called moral philosophy,is concerned with how we should decidewhat is right and what is wrong


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Biology/Biomedical science

+Ethics =

Bioethicshttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/46.0.html
http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/46.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/46.0.html


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Ethics

Straw Poll: Do you believe that thereare some some things that are always

right or wrong? Cultural differences

Two main categories of ethics: Deontology

Consequentialism


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Deontology

Deontological ethics (deon = Greek forduty) arise from an absolute set of

values that apply in all circumstances.For example, the Roman CatholicChurchs teaching that abortion is

always wrong.


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Consequentialism

Consequentialist ethicsarise from thebelief that there are no absolutes,

and that the likely outcomes in anysituation should be calculated.

Benefit and harm are weighed, and the

best situation is opted for.


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Decision Making and

Reaching Ethical Conclusions

Ethical conclusions are valid if theyare based on:

1. reason;

2. a well established ethical framework;

3. a reasonable level of consensus arisingfrom genuine debate.


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A bioethical dilemma:

Straw Poll

Should calves be takenfrom their mothers

before weaning to providemore milk for people?


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Human Life: two big

questions When does life begin?

Is human life uniquely different fromthat of other organisms?

Two important bioethical areas: Human reproduction Humans and other animals


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Humans and other animals

http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/

425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.html
http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/425.0.html


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How are we different?

1. Language

2. Self awareness

3. Ability to make moral decisions

But are these really unique to humans?


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Some evidence..

Washoe and Koko

Mirror test

Macaque experiment


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From Shadows of ForgottenAncestors by Carl Sagan and Ann

DruyanIn a laboratory setting, macaque monkeys

were fed if they were willing to pull a chainand electrically shock an unrelatedmacaque whose agony was in plain viewthrough a one-way mirror. Otherwise, theystarved. After learning the ropes, themonkeys frequently refused to pull the

chain; in one experiment only 13% would doso - 87% preferred to go hungry. Onemacaque went without food for nearly twoweeks rather than hurt its fellow.


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Genesis 1:28

Be fruitful and multiply, and replenishthe Earth and subdue it: and have

dominion over the fish of the sea andover the fowl of the air and overevery living thing that moveth upon

the Earth.


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The Use of Animals by You(if you are an average UK citizen)


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Straw Poll

1. Humans are more important thananimals. They are there for us to

use.2. Animals should have equal rightswith humans

3. Animals should be treated with moreconsideration than humans as theyhave no way to complain


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Another Straw Poll

Are you:

1. In favour of all scientific researchwith animals

2. In favour only of medical research

with animals

3. Against all research with animals


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Animal Experiments - for

major medical advances impossible without

human life more intrinsically valuable

no scientifically valid alternatives cannot train new medical

practitioners/scientists without

strict legislation to provide welfare limited research funding available, so

funded expts must be worthwhile


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20 major medical advances that

depended on animal research Anaesthetics Anticoagulants Blood transfusion Corneal transplants Diphtheria vaccine Drugs for asthma Drugs for high blood pressure Drugs to control transplant

rejection

Gene therapy for inheriteddiseases Heart lung machine for open

heart surgery

Heart transplants

The hib meningitis vaccine

Insulin for diabetes

Kidney dialysis Kidney transplants

Penicillin to treat infections

Polio vaccine

Replacement heart valves

Treatments for leukaemia Whooping cough vaccine


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The guiding principles in animalresearch

Refinement: to make sure animals suffer aslittle as possible

Reduction: to minimise the number ofanimals used

Replacement: to replace animal procedureswith non-animal techniques wherever possible.


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Animal Experiments -

against little effect on life expectancy/

disease rate

alternatives available evidence for cruelty

research trivial

desensitisation by educationalprocess


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Thought experiment - consider this

evidence:Results of LD50 tests of dioxin on various animals:

Guinea pig - 1 microgram/kilogram Hamster - 5000 micrograms/kilogram

Female rat - 45 micrograms/kilogram

Male rat - 22 micrograms/kilogram


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Animal research in context -

are there alternatives?

tissue culture,

computer modelling,

studies of patients and populations


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A Final Straw Poll

Are you:

1. In favour of all scientific researchwith animals

2. In favour only of medical research

with animals

3. Against all research with animals


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Some ethical aspects of

Human Reproduction

http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/188.0.html
http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/188.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/188.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/188.0.htmlhttp://www.beep.ac.uk/content/188.0.html


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The Meaning of Life

1. Organisms have no control overwhether or not they become alive

2. Once alive they strive to stay alive3. They have a strong and instinctive

drive to reproduce

4. They die.


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When does life begin?


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Structure of a Mammalian Egg

(oocyte)Cumulus oophorus

Ooplasm

Oocyte surface membrane

Zona pellucida

Perivitelline space


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Ethics and Human

Reproduction Abortion

Contraception

Assisted Reproduction

Embryo Research


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Causes of Male Subfertility

Low or no sperm count

Abnormal sperm cells

Vasectomy

Testicular/tract damage: chemotherapy

surgery

accident


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Causes of Female Infertility

ovulation failure

tubal damage

cervical mucus problems

endometriosis

unexplained

no male partner


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Subfertility involving both

partners incompatible blood groups

carrier/s of serious genetic disorder:

Huntingtons Chorea Tay-Sachs disease

CF

coital failure


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Assisted reproduction:

possible treatments

Counselling

Hormones

Surgery

Procedures on gametes outside thebody


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Gamete Manipulation

procedures

Donor insemination [DI]

In vitrofertilisation [IVF]

Subzonal insemination [SUZI]

Intracytoplasmic insemination [ICSI]


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SUZI


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ICSI


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Ethical arguments in favour

of assisted reproduction

suffering of the infertile

genetic death can do, so should do - advances in

technology


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Ethical Arguments against

assisted reproduction

not everyones right to have a baby

resources should be diverted to: prevention and cure of disease

promoting better parenting

adds to world population problem

against evolution


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Fertility Clinic Team: Case

Study 1Mrs A is a divorcee in her late 50s and

wants to have hormone treatment to

enable her to become pregnant. Shewill need both an egg and a spermdonor.

What are the arguments for andagainst her getting the treatment?


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Study 2Jane and Mary have been together for 10

years in a stable and committed

relationship. They have their own house andJane has a very well paid job. They wouldlike a child, and Mary has come to theClinic to ask for DI treatment.

What are the arguments for and against hergetting the treatment?


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Study 3Mrs Y had treatment for cancer, which

involved removal of her uterus (womb). Her

ovaries are still functioning normally, andher sister, Mrs X has volunteered to act asa surrogate mother. Mr and Mrs Y willundergo gamete collection and Mrs X will

need hormone treatment.What are the arguments for and against

them getting the treatment?


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Study 4Two couples had IVF treatment at your

clinic. Mrs C does not become pregnant, but

Couple D are successful and go on to havehealthy twins. It is realised some weekslater that there was a mix-up in theembryology lab and the twins are

genetically those of Mr and Mrs A.

What are the ethical issues?


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Study 5

Mixed-race twins were born to a couple

after sperm of a donor of differentethnicity was mistakenly used in IVFtreatment.

What are the ethical issues?


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Study 6Mrs W had several unsuccessful attempts at IVF,although the procedures produced many spareembryos, which were frozen. Mrs W got cancer

and although she recovered, her ovaries were lostduring the treatment. Sadly, her marriage brokedown and her ex-husband withheld his consent (asis his right under the law) to her using the frozenembryos to try to have a baby. After 10 years

frozen embryos must be destroyed if consent touse them is not given. This period has elapsed.What are the ethical issues?

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Bioethics for VIth Formers