Health Ethics -What is Birth Deformities -Two Kinds of Birth Deformities -Causes of birth Deformities Types of birth Deformities - Down Syndrome - Spina Bifida -hydrocephaly - Anecephaly Application of Ethical theories -Roman Catholic -kantian and Ross Principle

1. Chapter VII
The Moral Issue of Birth
Deformities

2. What is Birth
Deformities
??
 These are defects,
malformations, or
abnormalities of a child
which are present at
birth.

3. The Two Kinds of
Deformities Genetic Deformities - These are hereditary, they are
the outcome of the genetic information of the child.
 Congenital Deformities- These are defects or
malformations present at birth; they are nonhereditary.

4. The Two Kinds of
Deformities Generally, there are two kinds of deformities which may be
traceable to the genes or which may develop In utero.
Genetic
Deformities
Congenital
Deformities
 Hereditary
 Genetic material is
deformed
 From the carrier of a
defective gene
 Non-hereditary
 Genetic or physical
damage during the
process of fetal
development.

5. The Two Kinds of
DeformitiesCongenital Deformities (Causes)
Radiation
(X-Ray)
Drugs
(thalidomide)
Chemicals
(Mercury)
Nutritional
Deficiencies
(malnutrition)
Biological
Disease
(spirochete)

7. Trisomy-21
 Also known as the “Down Syndrome”
 Discovered by John Down, an English Physician in 1866.
 Is a genetic disease which result from the presence of extra
chromosome in a genetic formation.
 The condition is called Trisomy-21
because the affected newborn has a 21th
triple rather a pair.
 There is no cure in this condition but they
can anticipate a long life.

8. Spina Bifida
 The newborn with this type of deformity has the following
features:
 An opening into the spine
 A bulging sac resulting from
the protrusion of the
membrane covering the spinal
cord.
 Spinal fluid and nerve tissue
contained in the swelling
protuberance.
 No Control on bladder and
bowel movements.

9. Hydrocephaly
 Means “water in the
head/brain.
 It is a defective
condition characterized by
the accumulation of fluid
(water) within the
ventricle or between the
membrane of the brain,
especially in very young
children.
 Surgical treatment is required!

10.  Without brain
 Brain is partially and totally absent
 No hope for improvement, and will
eventually die
Anencephaly

11. Esophageal Artesia
 This birth deformity refers to
the closing of the esophagus,
hence the name; the muscular
tube has no open through which
milk or food may reach the
stomach.
 Surgery is required to correct
the condition.

12. Duodenal Atresia
 In this condition, the
duodenum- upper part of the
small intestine, is closed off.
 hence, Food cannot pass
through and be digested.
 Surgical Operation is
highly successful.

13. Applications
of Ethical
Theories

14. The Roman
Catholic’s
 Stand in this matter, that even the most
terribly malfunctioned baby I a human
person, so it’s right to live must be respected
and safeguarded.
 Against commission or omission
 Extraordinary measures can be done
if the family can support

15. Kantian and Ross’
Principle
 To die with dignity
 Malformed baby lack rationality
 Prima facie duty- let the family
decide with the doctor and health
team

16. Joseph Fletcher’s
Ethic Principle
 Endorses the merciful and painless
killing of horribly deformed baby.
 Agrees by terminating life of the
severely ill baby and defective fetus
 But, in the end, it depends upon
situation

17. A Utilitarian
 Greatest good for the greatest number of people
 Justify act of commission of terminating a fetus or a
deformed baby with the following reasons: Personal and
Social.
 Personal- Example, to much for the baby to
suffer, and the discomfort it brings to a family member.
 Social- Example, the deformed baby’s being
liability rather than an asset to the community.

18. Pragmatist’s Moral
Principle
 It would indeed depends on
the parent’s/ family’s
resources and sense of being
pragmatic and practical.
 “Ang Dyos ang siyang
naggawad kung kaya’t siya
rin ang magbibigay lunas”

19. Pragmatist’s Moral
Principle
 And lastly, for the pragmatically-
minded parents, however, whenever
the child’s deformity is so serous and
severe that all medical measures are
unnecessary and useless, except to
prolong, it is not exacerbate, the
malformed baby’s suffering and
misery, the most realistic and
practical decision to be made is to
put it’s life to a speedy and painless
end.