%0 Journal Article
%T The ethical concept of the fetus as a patient and the beginning of human life
%A CHERVENAK
%A FRANK A.
%A KURJAK
%A ASIM
%A MARIA CARRERA
%A JOSE
%A MCCULLOUGH
%A LAURENCE B.
%J -
%D 2009
%X Sa£¿etak £¿When does human life begin?£¿ is not one question, but three. The first question is, £¿When does human biological life begin?,£¿ and is a scientific question. A brief review of embryology is provided to answer this question. The second question is, £¿When do obligations to protect human life begin?,£¿ and is a question of general theological and philosophical ethics. A brief review of major world religions and philosophy is provided to answer this question has no settled answer and therefore involves irresolvable controversy. The third question is, £¿How should physicians respond to disagreement about when obligations to protect human life begin?£¿ and is a question for professional medical ethics. A review of the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is provided to answer this question. Physicians should manage the irresolvable controversy surrounding the second question by appealing to the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient. It is philosophically sound, respectful of all religious traditions and the personal convictions of patients and physicians alik, and clinically applicable
%K Ethics
%K fetus as a patient
%K religion
%K beginning of human life
%K professional conscience
%K individual conscience
%U https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=67669