1. Bioethics and a Truly Human Society

2. “Fish is what I like and so are bear’s paws; but if I cannot have both I will forgo the fish and choose the bear’s paw. Similarly I love life and I love righteousness; but if I cannot have both I will forgo life and choose righteousness” Meng-tse or Mencius. 372-289BC Book VI Part 1 chapter 10 “Fish is what I like and so are bear’s paws; but if I cannot have both I will forgo the fish and choose the bear’s paw. Similarly I love life and I love righteousness; but if I cannot have both I will forgo life and choose righteousness” Meng-tse or Mencius. 372-289BC Book VI Part 1 chapter 10

3. Bioethics “The application of ethics to the biological sciences, medical health care and related areas as well as the public policies directed towards them.” New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Administration. Bioethics “The application of ethics to the biological sciences, medical health care and related areas as well as the public policies directed towards them.” New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Administration.

4. The biomedical ethical principles that govern health care Benificence Non-malificence Respect for autonomy Justice Confidentiality Truth - telling Dignity PDS Course Otago Medical School The biomedical ethical principles that govern health care Benificence Non-malificence Respect for autonomy Justice Confidentiality Truth - telling Dignity PDS Course Otago Medical School

5. What does it mean to be human? What distinguishes humans from other animals? What does it mean to be human? What distinguishes humans from other animals?

6. A human being Is in relationship to other humans, all creation and God – love. Has both the capacity to remember and the capacity to imagine - hope and faith. Is capable of communication. Has the possibility of making choices – free will Is in relationship to other humans, all creation and God – love. Has both the capacity to remember and the capacity to imagine - hope and faith. Is capable of communication. Has the possibility of making choices – free will

7. What do we mean? Community (n) society; the social state; common ownership, liability; agreement; identity; communion; Society (n) the aggregate of persons living together in a more or less ordered community; Shorter Oxford English Dictionary What is a truly human society? Community (n) society; the social state; common ownership, liability; agreement; identity; communion; Society (n) the aggregate of persons living together in a more or less ordered community; Shorter Oxford English Dictionary What is a truly human society?

8. A truly human society -cares for all people physically, mentally and spiritually -does not exploit any of its members -is open to others -is compassionate to all especially the most vulnerable -is equitable -enables growth in all its members -enables each to contribute to the common good -has reverence for truth and beauty -cares for all creation -has peaceful means of solving conflict -tolerates diversity -values all its members -values wisdom as well as knowledge -recognisies limits to human action -reflects on the past as well as imagining the future -cares for all people physically, mentally and spiritually -does not exploit any of its members -is open to others -is compassionate to all especially the most vulnerable -is equitable -enables growth in all its members -enables each to contribute to the common good -has reverence for truth and beauty -cares for all creation -has peaceful means of solving conflict -tolerates diversity -values all its members -values wisdom as well as knowledge -recognisies limits to human action -reflects on the past as well as imagining the future

9. Humanizing & dehumanising aspects of society HUMANISING Reverence for embryo Early bonding :recognising humanity Child – unique gift To parents and community Broad education body/mind/spirit Promotion of wise reflection before changes Enough food, work, time to be, health care Acceptance of disabled, vulnerable, old Reverence for created world Acceptance of death as part of life Undervaluing wisdom HUMANISING Reverence for embryo Early bonding :recognising humanity Child – unique gift To parents and community Broad education body/mind/spirit Promotion of wise reflection before changes Enough food, work, time to be, health care Acceptance of disabled, vulnerable, old Reverence for created world Acceptance of death as part of life Undervaluing wisdom DEHUMANISING Sex selection, PGD, embryo experiments cloning Child as possession, right, May be made to be used for other, reject any abnormality Lack of education Body/mind/spirit Overvaluing of science Canonising new development Lack of food, work, time to be, health care. Too much food etc Rejection of disabled, vulnerable old Exploitation of created world Denial of death – or wish to control it by euthanasia

11. Ethical issues at beginning of life When does human life begin? Children as possession or gift Cost of technology ($ 9.3 million in NZ) Donated eggs & sperm, Surrogacy; Multiple parents in IVF with donated eggs, sperm and surrogacy Meaning of motherhood and fatherhood Embryo issues When does human life begin? Children as possession or gift Cost of technology ($ 9.3 million in NZ) Donated eggs & sperm, Surrogacy; Multiple parents in IVF with donated eggs, sperm and surrogacy Meaning of motherhood and fatherhood Embryo issues

12. Question s

14. Embryo issues : embryo selection to reduce disease : embryo selection to provide therapy for siblings : embryo enhancement : inserting genes from others : cloning; therapeutic and reproductive : destruction of embryo for stem cells : disposal of ‘spare’ embryos : adoption of spare embryos : embryo selection to reduce disease : embryo selection to provide therapy for siblings : embryo enhancement : inserting genes from others : cloning; therapeutic and reproductive : destruction of embryo for stem cells : disposal of ‘spare’ embryos : adoption of spare embryos

15. “There are persistent moral quandaries and moral remainders” “There are pressures for premature closure” “Good ethical dialogue is inclusive, identifies sources of power, and the ethical platforms asks the question: what kind of a society do we want?” “There are persistent moral quandaries and moral remainders” “There are pressures for premature closure” “Good ethical dialogue is inclusive, identifies sources of power, and the ethical platforms asks the question: what kind of a society do we want?” Michael Burgess, International Ethics Conference

16. Ethical issues at End of Life What is ‘normal’ treatment? Cost of technology Letting die and euthanasia Persistent vegetative state Withdrawal of life support Quality of life Resources available What is ‘normal’ treatment? Cost of technology Letting die and euthanasia Persistent vegetative state Withdrawal of life support Quality of life Resources available

17. Right to Die The moral basis of the right to die is the right to a good quality life “Lawyers and doctors distinguish between withholding treatment with death as a result and giving treatment that causes death. …But in fact there is no difference between them;... Like the doctrine of double effect, which allows death hastening levels of analgesia to be given…the distinctions are fictitious. Political and religious sentiments may obscure the interests of the patient in (right to die) cases, which is why the dispassionate assessment of the facts in a court of law is the best way to reach a conclusion” Leader in BMJ 9 April 2005 AC Grayling, Professor, School of Philosophy Birkbeck College “Lawyers and doctors distinguish between withholding treatment with death as a result and giving treatment that causes death. …But in fact there is no difference between them;... Like the doctrine of double effect, which allows death hastening levels of analgesia to be given…the distinctions are fictitious. Political and religious sentiments may obscure the interests of the patient in (right to die) cases, which is why the dispassionate assessment of the facts in a court of law is the best way to reach a conclusion” Leader in BMJ 9 April 2005 AC Grayling, Professor, School of Philosophy Birkbeck College

18. Pertinent Questions for new Developments Does this reverence each person? Does it care for the most vulnerable? Does it lead to growth and freedom? Does it lead to oppression? Is it open to political or economic manipulation so that people will be oppressed? Does it reveal in a new way the love of God. Does this reverence each person? Does it care for the most vulnerable? Does it lead to growth and freedom? Does it lead to oppression? Is it open to political or economic manipulation so that people will be oppressed? Does it reveal in a new way the love of God.

19. “How do we encourage moral strangers to cooperate?” “Ethical dialogue is a process of awakening communion” Paul Reeves, Chairman of the Bioethics Council “How do we encourage moral strangers to cooperate?” “Ethical dialogue is a process of awakening communion” Paul Reeves, Chairman of the Bioethics Council

20. “Let us avoid moralizing or suggesting we have a monopoly of truth” Cardinal Wojtyla to the Second Vatican Council “Let us avoid moralizing or suggesting we have a monopoly of truth” Cardinal Wojtyla to the Second Vatican Council

21. “Society is never finished but must always be built up anew on the basis of conscience “ Cardinal Ratzinger “Society is never finished but must always be built up anew on the basis of conscience “ Cardinal Ratzinger