Aquinas theory of natural law is a deontological theory, focused solely on the ethicality of actions using the moral code created by god. Natural law exists to assist human to direct their actions, to reach their eternal density with god. Aquinas maintained that there was a basic law/precept which all other natural law played a part, where all other precepts of law are based off. This is referred to as the formal principle of natural law.
Aquinas borrowed Aristotle’s idea that we can move from moral judgements to ultimate principles for ethical living, where in order to live a moral life one must live in accordance to reason, an immoral life would be to not. Fundamentally Aquinas concluded humans should do good and avoid evil. This ‘reason’ …show more content…
The use of embryo’s in medical research is currently regulated by the Human fertilisation and embryology act 1990, which allows research to be carried out on embryo’s up to the 14 day point at primitive streak. Also referred to before this at 14 days as the pre-embryo, this implies from this piece of legislation that the embryo is not considered a person at this point.
From Kant’s perspective, his theory put’s empathise on reason to carry out a action, this would suggest that if the research serves a purpose then it would be moral. However his theory explicitly states that we should not use people as a means to a end. However weather or not Kant considers embryo’ to be a person is the crux of this argument, on one hand from Kan’t christian background it suggests that he considers embryos to be a potential person. Therefor in this case to use a embryo would be to rob an embryo of it autonomy, however is it possible to exploit something that is not fully considered a person. In addition Kant’s theory is not concerned with the consequences that a action can bring and the significant medical advancement that could come from using embryos in research such as IVF advancements, are irrelevant. Moreover Kant’s view can be argued dependent on the status of the embryo, his element
Aquinas borrowed Aristotle’s idea that we can move from moral judgements to ultimate principles for ethical living, where in order to live a moral life one must live in accordance to reason, an immoral life would be to not. Fundamentally Aquinas concluded humans should do good and avoid evil. This ‘reason’ …show more content…
The use of embryo’s in medical research is currently regulated by the Human fertilisation and embryology act 1990, which allows research to be carried out on embryo’s up to the 14 day point at primitive streak. Also referred to before this at 14 days as the pre-embryo, this implies from this piece of legislation that the embryo is not considered a person at this point.
From Kant’s perspective, his theory put’s empathise on reason to carry out a action, this would suggest that if the research serves a purpose then it would be moral. However his theory explicitly states that we should not use people as a means to a end. However weather or not Kant considers embryo’ to be a person is the crux of this argument, on one hand from Kan’t christian background it suggests that he considers embryos to be a potential person. Therefor in this case to use a embryo would be to rob an embryo of it autonomy, however is it possible to exploit something that is not fully considered a person. In addition Kant’s theory is not concerned with the consequences that a action can bring and the significant medical advancement that could come from using embryos in research such as IVF advancements, are irrelevant. Moreover Kant’s view can be argued dependent on the status of the embryo, his element