“Infanticide and Euthanasia”

This is so sad. A couple chose to let their infant child die because   the child was born with Down’s syndrome and   a misformed esophagus. This is inhuman. The issues involving this case is that should parents have the right to choose whether their child lives or die due to misfortunes. No one has the right to kill human being regardless of any deformities. With this issue, there are many in which the participants are using ethical theory. One way could be the ethical egoism. To some the parents seem to be looking out for their own satisfaction. They may be more concerned about giving up their own time to take care of the child or worried about what others may think. Their life could be so perfect in their eyes, that a deformed child would only hinder them. Another way we can look at this is by saying that the theory they are using could be the Utilitarianism theory.   This is the moral philosophy which asserts that the maximization of happiness is the ultimate aim of all human conduct. The parents could be thinking that instead of having their child suffer through life, they would rather have him/her die peacefully away from others.
      The underlying assumptions/presuppositions to this situation is that: all human are born perfect, deforms would only hinder a person, parents know what is best for his/her child, or even lack of money to care for a sick infant.
      In Exodus 20:13 ,“Thou shalt not kill” it is telling us that killing another human being is against the saying of God. We do not have the right, whether we think it is best for the child, to kill him/her because of a deformity or not. We are God’s creations. He is the one that gave us life, therefore we do not have the right to take it.

      [pic]
      Kasheena Connor
      Dr. Elizabeth Mburu
      IS 461/ BC 18
      August 23, 2010
      Week Three:
      “Infanticide and Euthanasia” [continues]

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