Ethical Issues at the Beginning and End of Life

Advances in biomedical technology have led to new and troubling issues at the beginning and end of life. This talk will briefly review how developments in reproductive technology, prenatal screening, embryology and neonatal intensive care have changed our attitudes to parenthood and brought new urgency to long-standing debates about the value and significance of developing human life. 

Similarly at the end of life the rise of interest in euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is driven in part by technological and interventionist medical care. A central issue in contemporary ethical debates is the nature of personhood and the talk will contrast contemporary naturalistic and Christian perspectives and draw out the practical implications of these differing perspectives for medical and social care.

John Wyatt