Medical and Bioethics

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Medical and Bioethics

• By
• Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen

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Basic Ethical Principle

• Foundation of Jewish Medical Ethics
• Leviticus 185
• These are the mitzvot which one shall do and
  live by them I am the LORD.
• shall live
• And not die by them
• See also Lev 1916
• "Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor"

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When does life begin

• Question is when is life viable

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Principles

• Pikuah Nefesh- saving a soul
• Defining death
• Can one over-ride the other

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Definition of Death

• 1960s Reform Conservatives accept Brain Stem
  definition of death
• 1990s Orthodoxy begins to accept Brain Stem
  definition

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Transplantation Organ Donation

• Current legal ethical questions
• How do we decide who gets priority?
• Defined recipient
• What happens with eyes?
• Can organs be sold?
• Can they be used without permission?
• Rates of donation
• Perception vs reality

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Issues in Organ Donation

• Underlying problem
• Can only use organs thru brain stem death
• Donations by deceased
• Living Donors
• Judaism looks for designated recipient

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Organ Donation

• Orthodox
• Halakhic Organ Donors Society
• OU statement
• Conservative
• Supports donation
• Reform
• MATAN CHAIM THE GIFT OF LIFEOrgan Tissue
  Donation (includes card)

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Fertile Technology

• Basic Principle
• Be fruitful and multiply First biblical
  commandment
• Artificial Insemination
• IVF
• Surrogate Motherhood

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Euthanasia

• Need to distinguish
• Shortening life
• Prolonging death
• Active vs passive Euthanasia

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Euthanasia II

• Orthodox position
• Conservative -2 positions
• Reform

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Bioethics

• Cloning
• Therapeutic
• Reproductive

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Stem Cell Research

• Based on these are the laws you shall live by

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Sexual Ethics
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Abortion

• Biblical basis- Exodus 2122-23
• Issues
• Rodef- pursuer
• Viability of fetus
• When does life begin
• Ultra-orthodox
• Orthodox/Conservative
• Reform

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Birth Control

• Expectation of having children
• First commandment in Torah- be fruitful and
  multiply
• Question of spilling seed
• Genesis 38, 6-10
• What is permitted and forbidden

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IVF

• Basically accepted
• AIH
• AID
• Status of spare embryos

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Homosexuality

• Biblical basis
• Lev. 1822 Lev. 2013 Deut. 2317
• Are the laws equal for men and women
• Various views today
• Reform
• Conservative
• Orthodox

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Ritual Uncleanliness

• Taharat Ha-Mishpaha
• Basis- Leviticus 1519-30, 1819, 2018
• Not just says of low but 7 additional days
• Nothing to do with physical uncleanliness
• Mikva