Chapter 12 Law and Ethics

at moment of conception embryo stage:2-12th week fetus: 3rd month at birth

injection of seminal fluid into vagina from husband or donor wise to require consent in writing from both husbnad and wife legal status of offspring a concern ethical considerations in artificial conception

ovum and sperm cells combined outside womans body cells grown in lab and later implanted into womans uterus unused embryos are destroyed embryos can be frozen for possible future implantation

surrogate mother agrees to bear child for infertile couple contract established couple must pay for medical expenses of surrogate mother

potential court battle over custody of child potential embarrassment for surrogate(prostitution) potential harm to surrogates own child when he or she learns she gave one child away and received money in return

drugs enhance ability to become pregnant increases womans chance of having multiple births physicians may recommend some of the embryos be harvested(selective reduction)

union of male sperm and female ovum several states have laws that prohibit selling contraceptives to minors

medically altering reproductive organs to terminate ability to produce offspring may be surgical intervention such as vasectomy in the male or tubal ligation in the female

few legal problems for competent persons becoming most popular method of birth control

requires patients written consent also require consent of spouse at least 21 years of age

involuntary sterilization considered to be unethical by many people must be proven to be in the best interest of cognitively disabled person

many claims involve women who have become pregnant after sterilization procedure

eugenic sterilization is abhorrent to many people ask if it is morally acceptable for those receiving state and federal funds to dispense contraceptive devices

termination of pregnancy before fetus is viable

occurs naturally without any interference(miscarriage)

caused by artificial means( medications or surgical procedure)

US supreme court declared that a criminal abortion law in texas prohibiting all abortions not necessary to save life of mother to be a violation of woman's right to privacy

first trimester: decision to have abortion between woman and her physician second trimester: state may regulate medical conditions under which an abortion is performed third trimester: state may prohibit all abortions except to save the life of the mother or protect maternal health

first trimester: abortions should be performed in hospitals approved process for abortions should include other physicians in addition to woman's physician woman should wait for designated period of time before having an abortion and should receive counseling

1976: unconstitutional to require husband or parental consent before abortion 1977: states may refuse to pay for nontherapeutic abortions 1980: federal funds may not be used to pay for medicaid abortion 1981: physician must notify parents before abortion on minor 1990: federally funded family planning clinics prohibited from giving abortion advice 1992: trimester approach of Roe v Wade

many state legislatures oppose abortion procedures that allow fetus to enter birth canal while still alive

difficult ethical issues arise when incompetent persons are subjected to unplanned or unwanted pregnancies court appointed guardian(guardian ad litem) speaks on behalf of incapacitated person

provides legal penalties for any harm done to unborn child at federal facilities; treats all unborn life as a person

protects disabled infant prohibits witholding medical treatment

Gregor Mendel genetic counselors meet with couple before pregnancy occurs to discuss potential for passing on defective gene

amniocentesis is the use of a needle to withdraw, from the uterus, a small amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus consent must be signed before procedure risks are early labor

lawsuit often brought against physician or lab when baby is born with severe defects lawsuits brought when sterilization failed

infants can be safely left in safe haven places if unable to care for them includes: hospitals, police stations, and fire houses