enerbol and Fetal-Death

During the 70s and 80s ethical debate concerning the fetus became intensive. The great advances made in medical technology and research and improvements in prenatal diagnosis as well as in embryological research have led us to believe that the fetus is an individual with recognised claims to protection. In Sweden the aborted fetus has previously been considered merely as a risk-disposal problem, equivalent to dangerous and infected material and there have been no specific guidelines for the treatment of the fetus after abortion. In July 1990 treatment of aborted fetuses was changed with the general guidelines from the National Board of Health and Welfare. The present paper sets out the main contents of the guidelines and discusses the gradually changing views concerning the status of the human fetus in Sweden, as well as the public debate which has been a contributing factor to these changes.

Topics: Aborted Fetus; Abortion, Legal; Beginning of Human Life; Ethics, Medical; Fetal Death; Humans; Life; Moral Obligations; Mortuary Practice; Philosophy, Medical; Pregnant Women; Sweden; Value of Life

10% of infertile women who become pregnant with the aid of hormonal stimulation become pregnant with multiple fetuses. 20% of mothers of triplets experience preeclampsia and 35% risk serious postpartum hemorrhage. Risk increases with the number of fetuses for venous stasis, varicose veins, phlebothrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and embolic phenomena. Risk increases proportionally with increased number of fetuses for fetal morbidity and mortality. Selective abortion is often used as a method of reducing risk to both the woman and the fetuses, thus increasing the chance that 1 or 2 fetuses will be born healthy. A related issue is the selective reduction of fetuses in multiple pregnancies that may have a genetic defect like Hurler's syndrome, microcephaly, Tay-Sachs disease, spina bifida, hemophilia A, or thalassemia major. In cases where 1 fetus in a set of twins is so inclined, the reduction of the defective fetus increased the success of the remaining co-twin. Selective reduction should not pose a problem for Jewish women since the procedure does not violate any Jewish legal or moral rules. In Jewish law an unborn fetus is not considered a person until it is born. Until the 40th day of pregnancy it is considered as 'mere fluid.' In order to stress the positive aspect of selective reduction it should be called "enhanced survival of multifetal pregnancies."

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Beginning of Human Life; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fetal Death; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Humans; Judaism; Life; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Personhood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Multiple; Pregnant Women; Theology; Value of Life

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Abortion, Legal; Beginning of Human Life; Birth Injuries; Child Advocacy; Female; Fetal Death; Fetus; Forensic Medicine; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Jurisprudence; Life; Personhood; Pregnancy; United States

Topics: Aborted Fetus; Beginning of Human Life; Ethics, Medical; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Research; Fetal Viability; Human Experimentation; Humans; Jurisprudence; Liability, Legal; Life; Personhood; Pregnancy; Research; United States