Lap Learning Goal 6

1. Gina Gruenbacher Mr. Dagostino Social Justice- Faith 12, March 2013 Lap Learning Goal 6

2. BioethicsWhat is it? • Bioethics is, “Ethics seeks to determine what a person should do, or the best course of action, and provides reasons why. It also helps people decide how to behave and treat one another, and what kinds of communities would be good to live in” (“Exploring Bioethics”). • Although there is no precise time when the evolution of Bioethics was made it is known that throughout the 20th century bioethical studies have be tested, researched, and continued to present day. • “Bioethics is a rather young academic inter-disciplinary field that has emerged rapidly as a particular moral enterprise against the background of the revival of applied ethics in the second half of the twentieth century” ("Internet”). • There is a debate over countless subjects connected to bioethics and whether or not it is really natrual or the will of God.

3. Is Bioethics natural or unnatural??? • The first question to ask is what are some examples of bioethics? There are too many examples to count. • Some include: Suicide-The act of killing oneself. Abortion-Artificial termination of pregnancy. Human enhancement-Overcoming the limitations of body by artificial means. Population control-Government efforts to regulate the growth of population. Euthanasia-Killing an individual (or animal) without making them suffer from pain. • So is it really unnatural or natural? Well, the answer depends. In some cases such as suicide the answer would be YES. Only God is in charge of when a human’s time to die is. Not humans. Since suicide was not of God’s plan it is defiantly considered unnatural. In other cases, such as the example of Human Enhancement, it is an unnatural way for a person to move or live but it is a helpful way to live. It gives a chance for that human to live a little longer and a little better of a life. • This is where the huge debate of bioethics comes in. Some say that it is a cruel study and should be limited, but others say that it is improving the lives of others and thus should continue with its research. Therefore there really is no right answer, but there will always be one’s opinion.

4. Birth ControlWhat is it?? • Birth Control is a method by which a woman will decrease her chances of getting pregnant when having sex. • This method is most commonly known as a pill, but there are many other ways including: Rhythm method- Where a woman plans out when to have sex in order to have a child. Artificial inseminations- the act of fertilizing a woman’s egg by injecting semen through a syringe. In-vitro fertilization- fertilization outside of the woman’s body. Surrogate motherhood- where a woman has a child for a couple who cannot.

5. Natural or Unnatural??? • Natural? Unnatural? Most of these methods are not natural. But there are some pros as well as cons. • Here are some pros of birth control that contributes to why many women(especially teens today) are attached to this idea: • It can control the population number • Women think that it grants “safe sex” • Women will health issues may see this as an advantage • If women cannot take care of children but are in a relationship they may see this as freedom and an advantage. • Here are some cons of birth control that may contribute to the idea that it is not natural: • The original way for children to come into this world is through sexual intercourse between a man and a woman or “love.” Pills should NOT hinder the fate of a child. • There really is no such thing as “safe sex.” For teen girls to think that they can have as much sex as they want without any “consequences” are then lead to the idea that sex is a pastime or an activity with their boyfriends. This is NOT TRUE. Sex is a commitment between a man and a woman who love each other and vow to keep that promise of love. Birth Control complicates that vow. • There has been some harmful side effects of birth control.

6. Genetic Engineering What is it?

7. Genetic engineering is, “Directed modification of the gene complement of a living organism by such techniques as altering the DNA, substituting genetic material by means of a virus, transplanting whole nuclei, transplanting cell hybrids, etc” ("Genetic Engineering“). • This quote describes the concept of genetic engineering and it’s role in life. • This concept is used in many ways including farming and in the lab. • This has a very long way to go before it is actually “set in stone.” But everyday we see more changes and everyday we are getting closer to the future. • There is no precise date of when the study genetic engineering was formulated but over the years it has been developed, tested, studied, taught, and will continue to be investigated in the future.

8. Natural or Unnatural??? • Farmers are very familiar with this concept. If one is walking in the grocery store and see the perfect color and shape of tomatoes, they must think, “Wow! Farmers are great at their job.” Unfortunately this is not the case. Farmers use numerous ways connected to genetic engineering such as weed/bug killer, and chemicals to make the produce riper or better looking. • Genetic engineering is also used for humans as well with diseases. As more advanced times arrive in our century, more ways are invented and tested to modify and “enhance” the human body in order to make them healthier, more advance, or even immune to any sickness. • Therefore in many cases genetic engineering is unnatural, but in those cases it could bring about more good in the world such as less death and suffering from sickness or more food in the world. Thus, even though it may not have been natural, genetic engineering does have some pros.

9. Universal Health CareWhat is it?

10. According to www.wisegeek.org “Universal health care is a term that refers to a governmental system meant to ensure that every citizen or resident of a region has access to the required medical services” (“What Is Universal”). • This quote describes the thought and desire of everyone being able to have that protection in cases of health. • The history of universal health care is spread worldwide and is still being debated today. • According to www.wisegeek.org “Health coverage was first achieved on a national level in Germany in the 1880s as part of a widespread system of reforms instituted by Otto von Bismarck” (“What is Universal”). • This quote describes an example of where and when health care occurred outside of the United States. Thus, the idea was brought to America and it’s history still continues now and in the future.

11. Should we have it or not??? • The debate of whether or not we should have universal health care has been debated for years. • The Cons of having this health care are: • More and higher taxes • Stress on hospitals • The Pros of having this health care are: • Helping those who are in need • Living out human dignity • Opening up new ideas for future • Success gains confidence for those other ideas • Most, especially the Church, believe that it is our duty and dignity to help others and outlive our mission as Christians. By helping others we are then walking in Jesus’ footsteps to formulate a better life for those who need it. • Some other people ,however, are reluctant to pay higher taxes and don’t understand why they have to pay another person’s hospital bill. • Therefore, this debate is still being argued about but by keeping in mind that we are all struggling with life, we can see both sides of the argument at hand. No matter what God will always look after us and encoruges us to look after each other.

12. Works Citied • "Exploring Bioethics." —Teaching. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih9/bioethics/guide/teaching.htm>. • "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Bioethics  []. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/bioethic/>. • "Genetic Engineering." - Glossary Entry. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=geneticengineering>. • "What Is Universal Health Care?" WiseGEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-universal-health-care.htm>.