the ethics, the law and the born alive rule in canada

239 Pages·2001·12.84 MB·English

FOETAL TISSUE TRANSPLANTATION :
THE ETHICS, THE LAW AND
THE BORN ALIVE RULE IN CANADA
BY
INDRA 1. MAHARAJ
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
MASTER OF LAWS
Department of Law
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg. Manitoba
O August. 2000
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Foetal Tissue Transplantation:
The Ethics, The Law and the Born Alive Rule in Canada
hdra L. Maharaj
A Thesis/Practicum subrnitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University
of Manitoba in partiai Nrmment of the reqoirements of the degree
of
Master of Laws
Permission has been granted to the Library of The University of Manitoba to Iend or seil
copies of this thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this
thesidpracticum and to lend or seii copies of the film, and to Dissertations Abstracts
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extensive ertracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's
WTItten permission.
The advent of antibiotics revolutionized infection management regimes. However,
even penicillin was treated with understandable scepticism. Today, itç use is
common. Foetal tissue transplantation may be the "penicillinn of Parkinson's
Disease treatment. it can be transpiantea into the recipient and produce the
missing chemicals that cause the symptoms. It seems like a clear "go forward"
proposition but the fact that foetuses are the tissue source has created social
resistance. The foetus is unlike any other human tissue. If separated from the
pregnant woman prior to viability, it cannot sutvive. However, if left alone, it has
the potential to develop into an independent and unique human being. Bearing
this in mind, how can abortion and transplantation be justified?
In true Canadian style, a balance has been reached. First trimester abortions can
be obtained electively. Only first and early second trimester foetal tissue is
transplantable. I believe that transplantation is not dependent upon the morality of
abortion because abortion and suitable tissue both exist.
In this thesis, 1 discuss the various ethical arguments and the legal issues raised
by this technology. To put it al1 into perspective, I review the born alive rule in
depth and examine its influence in the law generally. After conducting the
foregoing analysis, I support the use of first trimester electively aborted foetal
tissue for therapeutic transplantation. with appropriate controls to ensure that the
pregnant woman is a willing participant with full knowledge of the ultimate of her
foetal tissue.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project started as an outlet for the intellectual boredom that I anticipated
...
would fiIl my first maternity leave. After all, babies just eat and sleep right?
After the birth of our son Narayan, I found time to be at a premium and intellectual
energy even more scarce. Having failed to compieie my task within the iime
allotted for my maternity leave, I continued to try to make time. I continued through
many life changes, including the birth of our daughter Savita. Ironically. I thought
that my second maternity leave would be an ideal time to pursue another
acadernic project. After all, the kids will play together ...r ight? As dear friends of
ours advised us - one child is easy ... two is like having twenty! They were right.
However, at long last, this project has been completed.
I would like to thank my thesis supervisors, Professors Barney Sneiderman and
DeLloyd Guth, for their patience and quiet faith that I would complete my task.
Together, they understood that sometimes you can push and sometimes you can't.
1 would like to thank Tim Caulfield for "adopting" me after my rnove to Alberta.
Finally, I would like to recognize, with thanks, the late Samuel Freedman, whose
family has been generous in the endowment of a scholarship to encourage
students in the pursuit of their Master of Laws degree.
I would be remiss if I failed to thank rny parents for the unwavering support that
they have given me in this, and every, project that I have undertaken. In their own
very different ways, they have each provided me with the confidence, momentum
and encouragement to produce. Thank you for being the spark (Dad) and the
steadily burning flame (Mom) upon which I have drawn for strength al1 these years.
Lastly, and most importantly, I must thank the Maestro - my husband Richard.
Richard has been everything for me: my biggest fan, my computer wizard, my
reality check, rny quiet supporter and rny "frozen boo! In the behind" throughout
this endeavour. Richard has been a true Maestro, playing whichever tune was
required to motivate me. I could not have finished this thesis without his steady
hand on the baton. Through al1 of the ups and downs, you have never said "1 wish
you had not taken on thiç project".
Thanks for understanding why I need to do what I do.
Thank you ail.
I have been tavght that we exist on this earth to seek a true understanding of Our
souk. To do so, we must pursue knowledge in al1 of its forms. It is Our duty to
learn and to educate others. This thesis represents a srnall par! of my search. I
hope that it is of some value to others who will study in this area.
...........................................................................................................................................................
ABSTRACT i
..
......................................................................................................................................
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS II
....................................................................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS i
............................................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION 1
................................ . ..........................................................................................
THE SCOPE OF THIS THESIS 8
L -4 WORD.A BOLT WORDS... ..................................................................................................................................... S
2 THEQ UESTIONM DT HE AWSWER ...................... ... ........................................................................................... 13
3 THES T R L ~ ROFET HISX VALYIS .ST H EL rxr rrs .......................................................................................... 13
............................................................................................................................
WHAT IS FOETAL TISSUE? 19
..........................................................................
DISCUSSION OF THE FRAMEWORKS FOR ANALYSIS ..36
1 I,XIRODL~CT~ON. .................................................................................................................................................... 36
2 FRLVEWOR1K . T HEF OETUS IS r\ FULLYE ~ITLEPDE RSON FROM CONCE~OOMNV ARD. ............................. 37
3 FRLLCIEWOIRI -KT HEF OETUSH c\s SOXIE ST.ATL~DSU RGVGGE ST.ATI...O..N... .................................................... 39
3 FR~LCIEWOIIIR -K T HEF OETUSU SN OS TATUSU NTIL.A FER IT IS BOW ....................................................... 42
5 CONCLUISON ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
..................................................
CHOICE OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM 44
....................................
AREAS OF THE LAW THAT ADDRESS THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE FOETUS 48
1 ~ODUCTION... ................................................................................................................................................... 48
2 CR~MNACLO DEO F CAXADA.... ............................................................................................................................ 52
3 HUMANR I GLE~GI SUTION. ........................................................................................................................... 57
J CHILDP ROTECTIONL EGISUTION.. ...................................................................................................................... 62
6) Carrada: ......................................................................................................................................................... 66
C) Urzired Srares: ................................................................................................................................................6 9
d) England ........................................................................................................................................................7 2
e) Corrclilrion ................................................................................................................................................... 74
j C.N.L\DI.ACN~ RTEOFR R IG~TTASV D FREEDOCI. S.. ............................................................................................... 75
6 TORTL AW.. ........................................................................................................................................................... 84
7 DEVOLLTIOONF ESTATES/PROPERLTAYW :. ...................................................................................................... 103
S CONCLUSION.:. .................................................................................................................................................... 107
...................................................................................................................*........................
ETHICAL ISSUES 111
1 ~TRODU~IO..N... .............................................................................................................................................1..1 1
2 .- GL'lclEZiTS fN OPPOSIT[ON T0 THE USE OF FQFTALT ISSUFEO R TRXSSPLA,ACTTIO N. ................................... 13-- 3
a) The Conzplr.c .i ty .4 rgilnzmt. .......................................................................................................................... 122
6) The! legitinrntion Argrrrrtent ......................................................................................................................1..3 9
C) Tlie Efect on Foerd Welftrre Argrirrienr: ................................................................................................. 132
d) The Cot~~nio~iificariodCre~orji-oïzr ri l.lnrkeri n Foetal Tisstte Argrtrrrenr: ................................................. 1J S
er) Thé Matenid Riglirs .-\r gitnietir: ................................................................................................................. 144
3 .%IGL'&I E.\TS LV SUPPOROTFM E USEO F FOETALT ISSUFEO R TR.LVSPWNPTL :RPOSES.:. ............................... 149
a) The Utilirarian Argrrrtrenr: ........................................................................................................................... 149
61 Respecr for rlre Htintrrn Qtralic of die Foeral Tbstre: ................................................................................ i.53
- -
C) 771e Rederriprion of Trngedy rlrgrtment:. ................................................................................................. . 1> ,i
d) The rtdvmtcenienr of Tecluiolog~A rgrrnienc .............................................................................................. 157
4 CONCLUSIO...N... ............................. .. ........................................................................................................... 159
............................ .........................................................................................................
LEGAL ISSUES .., 1 62
.................................................................................................................................................
CONCLUSION 200
..............................................................................................................................................
BIBLIOGRAPHY 205
.
.XRTTCLES TLXTBOOKS .&V D JOURNXS ....................................................................................................... 205
DICTION ARES ........................................................................................................................................................ 216
COMMISSION REPORTS AMI GOVERNMEirlT PUBLLC.4TIONS ................................................................. 216
STATUTES ...............................................................................................................................................................2.2 1
CASES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 223
NEWSPMER .ART ICLES. ......................................................................................................................................2. 29
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