In regards to the belief system of the worth of human life, I have a certain stand on bioethics; abortion and the production of what is usually referred to as ‘designer babies’, stem cell research. Core to this perception is the belief that the human person is valuable and should be protected from the time of conception up to the point of natural death. This perspective is evident in my view on abortion; under this perspective, it is wrong to kill an unborn; the life of the unborn should be preserved at all costs (Meilaender, 2020). I think every man from the moment of his conception till his birth has a right to life and should be left to develop.
About the issue of designer babies, the nature of my perception leads to considerations involving the morality of genetic modifications that enhance certain features to be preferred in offspring. I found that though getting rid of genetic diseases has its benefits, interfering with the human genetic code poses questions concerning bioethics regarding the sale of life and other side effects that may affect the generation to come. Concerning stem cells, the outlook of the world imposes the adoption of ethical standards that allow expanding the respect for embryonic stem cells and their value (Pardo, 2023). Although acknowledging the therapeutic uses of stem cell research especially in diseases and injuries, I believe in research that respects human life and seeks other ways of getting stem cells without having to kill embryos.
In conclusion, the belief in the enhanced worth and importance of every individual’s life is the main principle affecting my stances on various bioethical questions. Therefore, it makes me promote proper legislation and policies aimed at defending the preservation of human life starting from its inception and the adherence to ethical norms in bioethical issues involving all the people involved (Lapaeva, 2023).
Reference
Lapaeva, V. V. (2023). Status of Human Embryo in vitro as Ethical and Legal Issue: Religious Roots of Diverging Approaches. Legal Issues Digit. Age, 4, 4. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/lglisited4&div=5&id=&page=
Meilaender, G. (2020). Bioethics and the Character of Human Life: Essays and Reflections. Wipf and Stock Publishers. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yDzpDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=How+does+your+worldview+of+human+value+affect+your+beliefs+about+bioethical+issues
Pardo, R. (2023). The moral status of the embryo and its uses: Bioethics and social perceptions. In Clinical Ethics At the Crossroads of Genetic and Reproductive Technologies (pp. 155-204). Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443190452000064
