Ethical and Biological Considerations in Fetal Development and Childbirth
Overview
This paper addresses ethical responsibilities during childbirth and examines the biological development of human pregnancy. It argues that medical professionals have a duty to preserve fetal life regardless of circumstances and establishes the gestation period as nine months with fetal humanhood emerging in the second trimester when organs develop.
What this coursework covers
- Medical and ethical responsibilities during childbirth and fetal injury
- Biological process of pregnancy from fertilization through implantation and gestation
- Fetal development and organ formation as criteria for determining humanhood
Preview
Pregnancy
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QN 1
When giving birth, medical experts on site have the responsibility of protecting the lives of the mother and the unborn child. In the case that the fetus fell from with the umbilical cord still attached, it would be unethical to terminate its life. The life of the fetus is still important even when not born in the right conditions. Terminating its life because it fell does not justify the action. It would be termed murder, which would be criminal. The medical experts, instead, should try by all means to save the life of the fetus and the mother.
Qn 2.
Pregnancy is formed when a fertilized ovum in the fallopian tube is implanted on the walls of the uterus. Ideally, fertilization of the ovum by sperm takes place in the fallopian tube. After the ovum is fertilized, it moves and attaches itself to the upper walls of the uterus. From the point of attachment, the ovum starts to develop to a fetus, which is then termed as pregnancy. The fetus develops and grows bigger within the womb making it more pronounced with time. After nine months of pregnancy, the mother is ready to give birth to a baby. Therefore, the gestation period of human pregnancy is nine months.
Qn 3
A fetus, when growing in the womb, has organs just like a normal human being. However, they are not fully developed and should be within the womb for nine months for full growth.