Medical and BioethicsMedical and Bioethics

ByBy

Rabbi Jeffrey CohenRabbi Jeffrey Cohen

Basic Ethical PrincipleBasic Ethical Principle

Foundation of Jewish Medical EthicsFoundation of Jewish Medical Ethics Leviticus 18:5Leviticus 18:5

– ““These are the mitzvot which one shall These are the mitzvot which one shall do and live by them: I am the LORD. do and live by them: I am the LORD. ””

““shall live”shall live”– And not die by themAnd not die by them

See also Lev 19:16See also Lev 19:16– "Do not stand idly by the blood of your "Do not stand idly by the blood of your

neighbor"neighbor"

When does life beginWhen does life begin

Question is when is life viableQuestion is when is life viable

PrinciplesPrinciples

Pikuah Nefesh- saving a soulPikuah Nefesh- saving a soul Defining deathDefining death Can one over-ride the otherCan one over-ride the other

Definition of DeathDefinition of Death

1960’s Reform & Conservatives 1960’s Reform & Conservatives accept Brain Stem definition of deathaccept Brain Stem definition of death

1990’s Orthodoxy begins to accept 1990’s Orthodoxy begins to accept Brain Stem definitionBrain Stem definition

Transplantation & Organ DonationTransplantation & Organ Donation

Current legal & ethical questionsCurrent legal & ethical questions– How do we decide who gets priority?How do we decide who gets priority?

Defined recipientDefined recipientWhat happens with eyes?What happens with eyes?

– Can organs be sold? Can organs be sold? – Can they be used without permission? Can they be used without permission?

Rates of donationRates of donation– Perception vs realityPerception vs reality

Issues in Organ DonationIssues in Organ Donation

Underlying problemUnderlying problem– Can only use organs thru brain stem Can only use organs thru brain stem

deathdeath Donations by deceasedDonations by deceased Living DonorsLiving Donors

Judaism looks for designated Judaism looks for designated recipientrecipient

Organ Donation Organ Donation

OrthodoxOrthodox– Halakhic Organ Donors SocietyHalakhic Organ Donors Society– OU statementOU statement

ConservativeConservative– Supports donationSupports donation

ReformReform– MATAN CHAIM: THE GIFT OF LIFE

Organ & Tissue Donation (includes Organ & Tissue Donation (includes card)card)

Fertile TechnologyFertile Technology

Basic PrincipleBasic Principle– ““Be fruitful and multiply” [First biblical Be fruitful and multiply” [First biblical

commandment]commandment] Artificial InseminationArtificial Insemination IVFIVF Surrogate MotherhoodSurrogate Motherhood

EuthanasiaEuthanasia

Need to distinguishNeed to distinguish– Shortening lifeShortening life– Prolonging deathProlonging death

Active vs passive EuthanasiaActive vs passive Euthanasia

Euthanasia IIEuthanasia II

Orthodox positionOrthodox position Conservative -2 positionsConservative -2 positions ReformReform

BioethicsBioethics

CloningCloning– TherapeuticTherapeutic– ReproductiveReproductive

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research

Based on “these are the laws you Based on “these are the laws you shall live by”shall live by”

AbortionAbortion

Biblical basis- Exodus 21:22-23 Biblical basis- Exodus 21:22-23 IssuesIssues

– Rodef- pursuerRodef- pursuer– Viability of fetusViability of fetus– When does life beginWhen does life begin

Ultra-orthodoxUltra-orthodox Orthodox/ConservativeOrthodox/Conservative ReformReform

IVFIVF

Basically acceptedBasically accepted AIHAIH AIDAID Status of spare embryosStatus of spare embryos