Bioethics Definitions Autonomy: "Personal Rule Essay

If the lungs are forced to keep breathing, such people can continue to digest food, excrete waste, and even bear children" (Cline 2013). In the case of total brain death, "the cessation of functioning in those parts of the brain responsible for consciousness and higher reasoning powers is necessary for the death of the 'person' aspect of the brain and body" has occurred (Cline 2013).

Q4. Belmont report principles

The 1979 Belmont report was intended to define "the boundaries between biomedical and behavioral research and the accepted and routine practice of medicine;" risk-benefit criteria in research involving humans and appropriate guidelines for research involving human beings and "the nature and definition of informed consent in various research settings" (Belmont, 1979, HHS).

Q5. Present, explain and evaluate at least one argument in favor of thinking that many abortions are not morally wrong.

No human being should be forced to harbor another human being against her will: a woman cannot be forced to endure the risks of pregnancy. For example, no one can be forced to donate a kidney to someone so the donor can survive, similarly the mother cannot be compelled to give up her body any more than one can be compelled to donate a kidney to save someone's life (Thomson 1996).

Q6. For each of the thinkers below, identify by indicating pro-or con whether you believe the thinker would be in favor (pro) or against (con) the proposition above. In the space available to the right of the individual's name, justify your selection in two or three carefully constructed, legible sentences.

Immanuel Kant: The principle of autonomy holds true in all instances. Thus in upholding this moral principle it is a sound notion that a woman does not compromise her autonomy, even if she becomes pregnant.

Aristotle: Ultimately, the woman's good character, honed through ethical decision-making should allow her to determine whether abortion is moral or immoral. A good character will produce a good decision.John Stuart Mill: Regardless, the greatest good for the greatest number suggests that allowing abortion is permissible, given the negative consequences of making it illegal. Given that abortions will inevitably occur in the form of back alley abortions, allowing legal abortion promotes the general good.

Q7. Compare first and second order reasons for abortion?

"First order reasons are reasons of justifications which may plausibly justify an abortion, for example, (i) rape, (ii) endangerment of the woman's life, and (iii) a serious mentally or physically disabled fetus. Second order reasons are reasons of justifications which are, in comparison to first order reasons, less suitable in providing a strong justification for abortion, for example, (i) a journey, (ii) career prospects, (iii) by virtue of financial or social grievances" (Abortion, 2013, IEP). This notion of first and second order reasons, however, seems to penalize the woman for getting pregnant and not having 'good' reasons for having an abortion -- as if the 'risk' of sexual intercourse means that she may effectively be forced into pregnancy, as the implication is that second order reasons are less valid.

References

Abortion. (2013). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved:

http://www.iep.utm.edu/abortion/

Belmont Report. (1979). HHS. Retrieved:

http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html

Cline, Austin. (2013). When and how should a person be declared dead?

http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_ethbio_death.htm

Ethics. (2013). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved:

http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/

Medical power of attorney. (1999). Texas Medical Association. Retrieved:

http://www.texmed.org/template.aspx?id=65

Pantilat, Steven. (2008). Autonomy vs. beneficence. UCSF. Retrieved:

http://missinglink.ucsf.edu/lm/ethics/content%20pages/fast_fact_auton_bene.htm

Thomson, Judith Jarvis. (1971). A defense of abortion. From Philosophy & Public Affairs, 1. 1.

Retrieved: http://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/Phil160,Fall02/thomson.htm

What is the difference between totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent? (2013). NY State stem cell science. Retrieved: http://stemcell.ny.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-totipotent-pluripotent-and-multipotent.....