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This programme explores the ethics of disability and questions what different values we apply to it.
A young woman has a degenerative disability. She is in a wheelchair and is highly dependent on her husband and family for help (for example, with getting out of bed in the morning). She has been trying for a baby but is unable to conceive naturally. She goes to her GP, who refers her for assisted reproduction.
Should she be offered assisted reproduction? And whose job is it to decide? If she had cancer she would be offered assisted reproduction. Should her disability make any difference?
The law says that anyone who has assisted reproduction must have the welfare of any future child assessed. But most people who conceive naturally don't have their ability to parent assesed. Is this discrimination unethical?
This young woman has a 50/50 chance of passing the condition onto the child. Should any screening be offered? She doesn't want any embryo to be screened, but the results of screening would inform the decision about the child's future welfare.
Find out more
Jackie Topp explores the rights of disabled parents.
Put your ethical decision-making into context: try The Open University's Ethics In Real Life course.
OU on the BBC: Inside The Ethics Committee - Hospital phobia
The Open University / Karen Parker
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Production team
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OU on the BBC: Inside The Ethics Committee - Terminally ill and suicidal
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If a patient is not clinically depressed but is terminally ill and wants to end their life, should medical staff intervene to stop them? Read more : OU on the BBC: Inside The Ethics Committee - Terminally ill and suicidal
OU on the BBC: Inside The Ethics Committee - Advanced Directive
By Mike Lacon via Flickr under Creative Commons licence
How do hospitals care for people who no longer wish to be kept alive? Read more : OU on the BBC: Inside The Ethics Committee - Advanced Directive
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