Understanding Human Life, Abortion, and Euthanasia Ethics

Stages of Human Development

When life begins:

• Fertilization
• Nesting: 3 or 4 days later
• Organogenesis or cerebral cortex: Second month
• Relatedness: If accepted
• Fetal life: When the fetus can survive outside the womb

Types of Induced Abortion

• Therapeutic abortion: When pregnancy seriously endangers the life or health of the mother.
• Eugenic abortion: When the fetus is expected to have a congenital anomaly or serious malformation.
• Psycho-social abortion: When the continuation of pregnancy creates serious psychological, human, or social burdens for the mother (e.g., economic problems, lack of support, single motherhood).
• Ethical abortion: When the pregnancy is the result of a criminal act, such as rape or incest.

Legislation Regarding Induced Abortion

• Illegal: Prohibited without exception (e.g., Chile).
• Very restrictive: Only therapeutic abortion is permitted to save the life of the mother.
• Conditional: Permits abortion for therapeutic, psycho-social, eugenic, or ethical reasons, provided they are accredited.
• Liberal: Allowed by simple request of the mother, without specifying reasons, within a legal deadline.

Euthanasia and End-of-Life Care

Active Death

Derived from Eu (good) and Thanatos (death). This refers to any act or omission by medical staff or individuals close to the patient intended to cause immediate death.

• Doctors should support and manage symptoms effectively; the purpose is pain relief, not ending the patient's life.
• Society must respect the terminally ill, allowing them to face death with peace and dignity.
• Family role: Empathize with and accompany the patient through their suffering.

Emergency Contraception

The Morning-After Pill: Contains a high concentration of hormones to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours.

Human Sexuality and Education

It is necessary to emphasize the human dimension of sexuality, which involves delicacy and the recognition of our identity. We must educate ourselves on sexuality to foster the development of the whole person, including emotions and expressions, avoiding the objectification of others.