PHIL103: Moral and Political Philosophy

The ethics of using tissues and organs from fetuses have been a matter of enormous discussion. Aborted fetuses are a proposed source of organs. Debates address whether it is morally appropriate to use organs from a fetus aborted late in a pregnancy for transplantation that could save the life of another infant. Many people believe that this practice would encourage late-term abortions, which some individuals and groups find morally objectionable. Another objection comes from people who fear that encouraging the use of aborted fetal organs would encourage "organ farming," or the practice of conceiving a child with the intention of aborting it for its organs., but the use of spontaneously aborted fetus or anencephalic newborn could be encouraged. Although there is ethical debate concerning the possible use of organs of anencephalic babies for transplant. Some have argued that because of the absence of neocortex these are 'nonpersons 'and are 'brain-dead' and thus, such infants should be available for organ donation if this is the wish of the parents. However, as brain stem function is present in these infants, the ‘whole of the brain' or 'brain stem' requirement for certification of brain death precludes removal of organs until cardiorespiratory death occurs.