Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Teachable moment: capital punishment, abortion,
and the definition of human life
The American Medical Association (AMA) policy on
abortion is:
(See the rest at
http://www.ama-assn.org/apps/pf_new/
pf_online?f_n¼browse&doc¼policyfiles/-HnE/E-
2.06.HTM&&s_t¼&st_p¼&
;nth¼ 1 &prev_pol¼policyfiles/
HnE/E-1.02.HTM&nxt_ pol¼ policyfiles/HnE/E-
2.01.HTM&.) Compare this policy to an engineering code of
ethics. Identify commonalities and any inconsistencies
between the two policies, especially the differences
between the engineer's paramount focus on the public
good and the physician's focus on the patient.
In particular, consider that for lethal injection executions,
the AMA prohibits a physician aiding the execution by:
selecting injection sites;
starting intravenous lines as a port for a lethal injection
device;
prescribing, preparing, administering, or supervising
injection drugs or their doses or types; inspecting,
testing, or maintaining lethal injection devices; and
consulting with or supervising lethal injection
personnel.
Some have argued that, in an abortion, the doctor does not
''kill'' the unborn child intentionally, but makes the
''choice'' to evict the child from the womb. This position
argues that the unborn child's right to life does not ''entail
that the child
in utero
is morally entitled to the use of the
mother's body for life support.''
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Tragically, this position
is tantamount to subjugating the unborn child to
a ''parasite.''
The Principles of Medical Ethics of the AMA do not prohibit
a physician from performing an abortion in accordance with
good medical practice and under circumstances that do not
violate the law. (III, IV)
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And
(1) [A]bortion is a medical procedure and should be performed
only by a duly licensed physician and surgeon in conformance
with standards of good medical practice and the Medical
Practice Act of his state; and (2) no physician or other
professional personnel shall be required to perform an act
violative of good medical judgment. Neither physician,
hospital, nor hospital personnel shall be required to perform
any act violative of personally held moral principles. In these
circumstances, good medical practice requires only that the
physician or other professional withdraw from the case, so
long as the withdrawal is consistent with good medical
practice. (Sub. Res. 43, A-73; Reaffirmed: I-86; Reaffirmed:
Sunset Report, I-96; Reaffirmed by Sub. Res. 208, I-96;
Reaffirmed by BOT Rep. 26, A-97; Reaffirmed: CMS Rep.
1,I-00)
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Compare and contrast this policy that the AMA policy on
capital punishment:
Questions
1. Compare the technical and moral differences and
similarities between the prohibitions against
participating in an execution and the applications of
the technologies of abortion.
2. Is the child
in utero
living? Is it human? Be specific
in these definitions. If so, explain the bioethical
distinction between calling abortion an act of killing
and a choice to ''evict'' the child.
An individual's opinion on capital punishment is the personal
moral decision of the individual. A physician, as a member of
a profession dedicated to preserving life when there is hope of
doing so, should not be a participant in a legally authorized
execution. Physician participation in execution is defined
generally as actions which would fall into one or more of the
following categories: (1) an action which would directly cause
the death of the condemned; (2) an action which would assist,
supervise, or contribute to the ability of another individual to
directly cause the death of the condemned; (3) an action
which could automatically cause an execution to be carried
out on a condemned prisoner.
The good engineer
human life is sacred, as most believe (however they
define it), can it ever become unsacred, as in the case of
a convicted murderer?
The bottom line is drawn with values. What we per-
ceive to be precious is protected and cherished. What we
see as having less value becomes commodified. Less value
translates to less protection and greater expendability.
Engineering is an active process of solving problems
and building new things using computers and other
technologies.
Duke University's K-PhD Program
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