Ethics in healthcare – matters for prayer 2003
Euthanasia
The last year has been dominated by news of the deaths by assisted suicide of Britons at the so-called Dignitas clinic in Zurich. Some of the patients have had motor neuron disease, but a middle-aged married couple appeared simply to be ‘tired of life’. The Swiss are probably going to end ‘euthanasia tourism’, but the resulting publicity has led to much media discussion. There has been a pro-euthanasia Bill in the House of Lords, which although it probably won’t go any further, has caused added publicity.
The government has finally introduced in England and Wales controversial draft legislation regarding caring for the mentally incapacitated. Although much of this is welcome and necessary, bringing advance directives into statute law could lead in time to euthanasia by the back door, as could wrongly withholding and withdrawing life prolonging treatments from those who are not actually dying.
Prayer
- Lord, please help us to know how to care ethically for the terminally ill, recognising that there is ‘a time to die’ but never hastening death. Lord, we pray for protection for those who cannot make decisions for themselves and pray about this forthcoming legislation.
Genetics
The relatively new technique of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis has for the first time been approved in Britain this year, in order to select an embryo intended to become a donor of umbilical cord stem cells for a sick sibling. Whilst hearts go out to that sick child and his parents, this is using a human being instrumentally as a means to an end and brings the commodification of children ever nearer.
Prayer
- Lord, thank you that we are all made in your image. Please help us to use scientific advances ethically and to be prepared to say ‘No’.
Cloning
A legal decision this year has allowed the use of human embryos for research into so-called therapeutic cloning and stem cell production. There is only one technique of cloning, and knowledge which in time will be gained because of this decision brings reproductive cloning – the birth of a human clone – nearer. And that concern does not begin to consider the status before God of each human embryo.
Stem cells can be extracted from ‘adult’ sources and here there is no ethical controversy. Almost every week, new evidence about the suitability of adult stem cells emerges around the world. Although there have been encouraging developments in Europe, the UK is far more liberal.
Prayer
- Lord, thank you that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Please help us to respect human life and keep us from trespassing in your domain. Please lead us into adult stem cell research rather than into cloning humans.
Transexuality
Transsexual people feel they are ‘a woman trapped in a man’s body’ or vice-versa. Despite concern about the absence of medical evidence for the causes and therefore for the most appropriate way of helping such people, the government is introducing legislation to allow for birth certificates to be changed secretly to record the new adopted gender instead of the birth sex. This is mainly so that people can marry in the adopted gender.
Whilst people struggling with their sexual identity deserve full support and love, there is no evidence that gender reassignment surgery and a lifetime of hormones are the right way. We should also be concerned about the effect on the marriage partners and families of transsexuals, about legal collusion with deceit, and that what is in reality same sex marriage comes nearer.
Prayer
- Lord, thank you that ‘male and female’ you created us. We pray for those struggling with their sexual identity that each and every one will receive the right kind of help. We pray about this proposed legislation.
Sexual health and abortion
Figures for sexually transmitted infections including AIDS continue to rise alarmingly, with all the misery and potential infertility that entails. It has been officially admitted that there are not enough clinics to cope with these diseases. Britain has almost the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe, and one in five of all pregnancies in England and Wales ends in abortion. We need sex education that increases the self-esteem of children, young people and adults and affirms the importance of relationships.
Prayer
- Lord, thank you for marriage, your loving plan for human sexuality, and for the gift of children. Please forgive us for the adultery and fornication in our society, and for killing defenceless innocents in abortion. We pray we may return to your ideal and for an end to the silent holocaust of abortion.
Resources around the world
Resource allocation remains controversial in rich Britain, with political rows about inequities if ‘foundation hospitals’ come in, but around the world budgets for healthcare are unbelievably tiny by comparison. Much more needs to be done politically in terms of debt relief and genuine international aid, but there is always a need for health professionals and aid workers to take the compassionate care of Christ to those in need.
Prayer
- Father, forgive us that we complain so readily and that we forget the far greater needs elsewhere. Please help us to give generously and please call out more carers.
Action points
- We can pray.
- We can also get more informed and get more involved.
- We could respond year round to Healthcare Sunday by, for example, lobbying on ethical issues, volunteering at an old people’s home, helping in sex education for young people, or visiting at the local hospice.
- We could support a health professional working in the developing world, or consider going to work abroad.
Consulting Medical Adviser, CARE (Christian Action Research & Education)
