Periodicum biologorum, Vol. 111 No. 3, 2009.
Esej
The ethical concept of the fetus as a patient and the beginning of human life
ASIM KURJAK
; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
JOSE MARIA CARRERA
; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain
LAURENCE B. MCCULLOUGH
; Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
FRANK A. CHERVENAK
; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
Sažetak
»When does human life begin?« is not one question, but three. The first question is, »When does human biological life begin?,« and is a scientific question. A brief review of embryology is provided to answer this question. The second question is, »When do obligations to protect human life begin?,« and is a question of general theological and philosophical ethics. A brief review of major world religions and philosophy is provided to answer this question has no settled answer and therefore involves irresolvable controversy. The third question is, »How should physicians respond to disagreement about when obligations to protect human life begin?« and is a question for professional medical ethics. A review of the ethical concept of the
fetus as a patient is provided to answer this question. Physicians should manage the irresolvable controversy surrounding the second question by appealing to the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient. It is philosophically sound, respectful of all religious traditions and the personal convictions of patients and physicians alik, and clinically applicable.
Ključne riječi
Ethics; fetus as a patient; religion; beginning of human life; professional conscience; individual conscience
Hrčak ID:
43413
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.9.2009.
Posjeta: 3.725 *