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Medical Ethics: Beginning of Life Issues - Dr. T. Everett at IFMSA Ireland International Conference 2004

Join Dr. T. Everett at the IFMSA Ireland International Conference 2004 for an insightful discussion on medical ethics, specifically focusing on beginning of life issues such as abortion. Explore different ethical approaches and the complexities surrounding this topic.

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Medical Ethics: Beginning of Life Issues - Dr. T. Everett at IFMSA Ireland International Conference 2004

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  1. IFMSA Ireland International Conference 2004 Windows Into Medicine Medical ethics: Beginning of life issues Dr T Everett Julyan Glasgow, UK Saturday 16th October 2004, Dublin The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics www.schb.org.uk

  2. There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so Hamlet

  3. Why do we need medical ethics? What are medical ethics? How can we decide what is ethical and what is not? Abortion: A worked example Overview

  4. Examples: HIV Leprosy CANversusOUGHT TheENDcannot justify theMEANS Why do we need medical ethics?

  5. The reality of morality c.f.mindversusbrain c.f.colour, colour-blindness and theelectromagnetic spectrum Why do we need medical ethics?

  6. eth-icnoun 1. a. A set of principles of right conduct. b. A theory or a system of moral values. 2. ethics (used with a sing. verb) The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person. 3. ethics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. What are medical ethics?

  7. A definition: Thesystematic study or practice of moral behaviour withinmedicine What are medical ethics?

  8. Gut-feeling? Reason? Conscience? Consensus? Consequences? Relativism? Authority? How can we decide what is ethicaland what is not?

  9. Deontological Teleological Consequentialist Others Different approaches

  10. Deontological Rule-based e.g.Hippocratic Oath Different approaches

  11. Teleological Purpose-based e.g.Natural Law Different approaches

  12. Consequentialist Results-based e.g.Utilitarianism Different approaches

  13. Others Mixed approaches e.g.Principlism (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, veracity, privacy, confidentiality, fidelity) Different approaches

  14. Areas of ethical relevance MOTIVES ACTIONS CONSEQUENCES

  15. Discussstrengthsandweaknessesof: deontology(rules) teleology(purpose) consequentialism(results) principlism(autonomy, etc) with respect to: motives actions consequences Different approaches

  16. Deontological(rules) Strengths: Weaknesses: Different approaches

  17. Teleological(purpose) Strengths: Weaknesses: Different approaches

  18. Consequentialist (results) Strengths: Weaknesses: Different approaches

  19. Principlism(autonomy, etc) Strengths: Weaknesses: Different approaches

  20. There is anOUGHT There is an oughtIN REFERENCE TO SOMETHING We don't agree onWHAT THAT SOMETHING IS God? Nature (evolution)? or what? Differences in common

  21. A combined approach? MOTIVES PURPOSE RULES HAPPINESS ACTIONS SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES CONSEQUENCES

  22. Some facts: One of the most commonly performed gynaecological procedures in the UK At least1 in 3UK women have an abortion by age 45 ~50 million deathsannually worldwide ~50 million abortionsannually worldwide Abortion: A worked example

  23. Any action which is taken with the intention of ending the life of a conceptus (zygote, morula, blastocyst, embryo or fetus) Abortion: A worked example

  24. 1. 15 Prim, raped by father 6 weeks ago 2. 38 Para2, screening=”high risk of Down's” 3. 31 Para3, previous eclampsia, C-section and subsequent puerperal psychosis 4. 22 Prim, going on holiday next year Motives|actions|consequences Rules|purpose|results| principles Abortion: A worked example

  25. Facts When does life begin? Values Actual values Is killing wrong? What is a person? Balance between values “Right to choose” versus “Right to life” Abortion: A worked example

  26. Medical ethics Necessary Integral Ubiquitous Principled Generalisable Multifactorial Complex Conclusions

  27. Do to others what you would have them do to you Jesus Christ

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