Veracity to Patients

A controversial topic in biomedical ethics involves the moral status of embryos and fetuses and what rights should be granted to them. Some argue that moral obligations such as beneficence and nonmaleficence are owed to the fetus because it possesses moral standing. Others argue that the principle of autonomy is owed to the mother carrying the fetus because it is her body and she has the right to make autonomous decisions regarding her healthcare. This paper analyzes what biomedical principles cause conflict in cases that involve maternal-fetus issues and to who the principles of biomedical ethics apply to. While this paper considers the ethical considerations as well as several theories and concepts in regard to these issues, it concludes with a defending my position on maternal-fetal issues and what I believe ought to be done in such cases.

Ethical Analysis Introduction

Maternal-fetal issues spark complex and controversial debates in the field of biomedical ethics (Farber-Post, 1996). The conflicts arise when medical professionals try to determine to who their ethical obligations are owed to. Many ethicists argue that autonomy is precedential and therefore, it is the the duty of the medical staff is to the pregnant mother as it is her body and she has a right to make decisions regarding her healthcare. Others argue that other, but still just as important ethical principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, and avoidance of killing override the principle of autonomy and therefore these principles are owed to the fetus.

As seen in many cases, often times there are conflicts between ethical principles in the field of biomedical ethics. Case #2 is a perfect example of a case that causes one to question which ethic...

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...s not about the ethical principles or even the conflict between them, but instead is about determining to who the principles are owed and under what moral priority they fall. The ethical issue in maternal-fetal conflicts actually is based on how medical professionals view the mother and the fetus (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2005). The staff may find the pregnant mother to be one-patient. That is, the fetus is nothing more than part of a woman’s body. Holders of this view contend that commitments and biomedical principles are owed solely to the pregnant woman. In contrast, others believe that a pregnant woman is actually two individuals and the commitment of ethical principles applies to both patients. If it is believed that there are indeed two patients, how do doctors, nurses, and residents determine which principle is the most important?