Abstract

DIBARBORA, Elisa A. Life and death with dignity in perinatology. Perinatol. Reprod. Hum. [online]. 2014, vol.28, n.2, pp.102-107. ISSN 2524-1710.

We will try to make a reflection that involves the essential characteristics to approach a complex and multifaceted issue: 1) Pluralistic: accepting the diversity of moral conceptions, religious or secular. 2) Rational: founding its conclusions in a logical-argumentative order, and with claims of 3) Universality, or at least, if possible, a useful generalization as a guide in similar situations. In each argument, the premise is to respect all beliefs and to deliberate rationally. From a metaphysical dimension, we will exhibit different philosophical positions with respect to the concepts of life, individual, human being, person and dignity. From a biological dimension, we will see the process of personal life in fetal development, that begins with fertilization and continues through birth, showing at all times the importance of considering the ethical-social dimension that is related to the estimation of the value of the life of a baby with malformations before and/or from its birth and the role of parents, especially the mother, in the decision-making, advised by a responsible health team, conscious of their moral and professional duties.

Keywords : Life; death; ethics; dignity; perinatology.

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