Morality and The Modern World. Medical Ethics: The Use of Human Embryos Lesson 1 LI: I have started to think about issues surrounding the beginning of life. Success: I have discussed some issues surrounding the beginning of life.

When does life begin? Using the post-it write when you think life begins. Some suggested ideas: conception, when the heart begins to beat, ensolument, when the foetus can feel things, birth, when gender is established etc etc.

When does personhood begin? Using another post-it write down when you think someone becomes a person? Suggested ideas: they are aware of themselves, they have a personality, they have feelings, they can express emotion, they can think.

Beginning of Life Personhood

When does life begin? Sperm & ovum meet, combine genetic information in the form of DNA, to make person they will become- or are becoming. From this moment, the single fertilised ovum (zygote) divides. Known as a blastocyst or pre-embryo until 14th day of development

At this point, cells begin to specialise (the 'primitive streak') ready for their role as body parts. This could mean that consciousness or the ability to feel pain are present from this point onwards. As many believe consciousness is an important part of being 'alive', the scientific community has agreed that until the 14th day, the pre-embryo is not strictly a 'person'. 14 Day Old Embryo

What others think… 6 days after fertilisation when the pre-embryo attaches itself to the walls of the uterus (implantation); it is now viable or able to survive 54 days when the brain begins properly functioning (scientists have recorded some brain waves at 40 days) 26 weeks when the spinal cord, brain stem etc are developed enough to 'experience' things like pain at some point where the foetus could survive outside the mother from the actual moment of birth

From moment of conception From here, all the information required to complete the pregnancy is present. After this moment, everything else is an unbroken process of becoming. This would mean that the ten-day-old pre-embryo is no more or less a person than the 14-day-old one. Many religious people believe this is the moment when we become a person, and the point where we obtain a soul (ensoulment). However, many non-religious people also believe this is when life begins because, from that point, the pre-embryo is a potential person.

Why this matters Embryology involves the use of pre-embryos for reproduction and scientific research. In the UK, this research can be done only until the 14th day of development. After this, the pre-embryo must be implanted in the uterus (I.V.F.) or destroyed.

Read Pages 232 -233 Take notes under the 3 headings. Christian Views Buddhist Views Secular Views

Describe different views on when life begins 4ae 2014 Marking Instructions: No marks for writing a list. It is possible for candidates to identify four points and where this is the case each point should be accompanied by an explanation. Candidates may decide to describe fewer points in varying depths, but no maximum or minimum number of marks should be applied for each one. Candidates may illustrate their description by using examples. Suggested areas covered in answers •Conception •14 day ‘primitive streak’ •Ensoulment •Beating heart •Legal definitions •Sentience •Gender established

Exam Questions Q1. Describe different views on when life begins 4AE 2014 Q2. Explain the moral issues arising from the different views of when life begins 6AE 2014

Explain the moral issues arising from the different views of when life begins 6AE 2014 Marking Instructions: Where more issues are given then the best two should receive the marks. Candidates should not receive marks for KU used in question2(a). Where new KU is introduced and used to make an AE point a mark should be awarded. Candidates are at liberty to use either or both religious and secular moral issues raised Suggested areas covered in answers: •Sanctity of life •Definitions of personhood •Validity of research •Validity of interference with the embryo •The‘can’ and ‘ought’ debate •Interference with nature taken too far •Utilitarian concerns •Kantian concerns •Religious concerns