Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of biological and medical sciences Drahoslava Machová Supervisor: PhDr. Zdeňka Kudláčková, Ph.D. Title of diploma tehesis: Bioethics V - Surrogate motherhood - the specifics of individual areas Background: Creating a basic overview of bioethics and its principles. Handle the issue of surrogate motherhood Institute. Main findings: In this thesis we dealt with issues of bioethics, bioethical principles and in particular the issue of surrogacy. Above all, we focused on fundamentals of bioethics, its principles and interconnection with the law. Furthermore, we describe surrogacy institute, its history and progress. Another part is devoted to the current legislation, Surrogacy in the Czech Republic and comparison with the legislation in selected countries around the world. The thesis also includes recommendations of medical ethics in the process of surrogacy. In conclusion, we have focused on the risks that may occur. Conclusions: Use of surrogate motherhood is one of the few ways infertile couple may obtain offspring. Undoubtedly it is a problem that needs to be continued to explore and modify. It is also necessary to pay great attention to the ethical, legal and psychological aspects that are associated with this institute....

Mokslinio darbo objektas - bioetikos teorijos, paremtos deontologija ir utilitarizmu. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti bioetikos teorijose siūlomų etinių principų normatyvinį pagrįstumą. Moksliniame darbe yra atlikta lyginamoji bioetikos teorijų analizė, išanalizuotas teorinių bioetikos koncepcijų prielaidų pagrįstumas. Yra teigiama, kad analizuojamas bioetikos teorijas galima skirstyti pagal jų konstravimo podūdį į homogeniškas ir heterogeniškas. Homogeniškos teorijos tesia konkrečią etinę tradiciją (deontologijos ar utilitarizmo) ir siūlo spręsti bioetines kontroversijas, tokias kaip abortai, eunazija, pagelbstimoji savižudybė taikant konkrečias vertybines nuostatas, būdingas astovaujamai šakai. Heterogeniškos teorijos bando derinti deontologiją su utilitarizmu vienoje koncepcijoje, siekdamos pasiūlyti bioetinių kontroversijų sprendimo būdus priimtinus pliuralistinėje visuomenėje. Disertacijoje teigiama, kad deontologija ir utilitarizmu pagrįstos bioetinės teorijos nepasiūlo aiškių ir priimtinų principų, reikalingų sprendžiant bioetines kontroversijas. / The object of dissertation is bioethical theories based on deontology and utilitarianism. The purpose of dissertation is to examine if ethical principles proposed in bioethical theories are normatively justified. In this work comparative analysis of bioethical theories is made and theoretical assumptions of bioethical conceptions are analyzed. It is stated that according to the construction manner of the analyzed bioethical theories it is possible to group these theories to homogenic and heterogenic ones. Homogenic theories are proceeding along particular ethical tradition (deontological or utilitarian) and propose to deal with bioethical controversies such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide applying particular value-system. Heterogenic theories are trying to combine deontology with utilitarianism in one conception and in this way to propose method suitable for pluralistic society for dealing with bioethical controversies. In this work it is stated that bioethical theories based on deontology and utilitarianism do not introduce any clear and acceptable principles and methods needed for solving bioethical issues.

The object of dissertation is bioethical theories based on deontology and utilitarianism. The purpose of dissertation is to examine if ethical principles proposed in bioethical theories are normatively justified. In this work comparative analysis of bioethical theories is made and theoretical assumptions of bioethical conceptions are analyzed. It is stated that according to the construction manner of the analyzed bioethical theories it is possible to group these theories to homogenic and heterogenic ones. Homogenic theories are proceeding along particular ethical tradition (deontological or utilitarian) and propose to deal with bioethical controversies such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide applying particular value-system. Heterogenic theories are trying to combine deontology with utilitarianism in one conception and in this way to propose method suitable for pluralistic society for dealing with bioethical controversies. In this work it is stated that bioethical theories based on deontology and utilitarianism do not introduce any clear and acceptable principles and methods needed for solving bioethical issues. / Mokslinio darbo objektas - bioetikos teorijos, paremtos deontologija ir utilitarizmu. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti bioetikos teorijose siūlomų etinių principų normatyvinį pagrįstumą. Moksliniame darbe yra atlikta lyginamoji bioetikos teorijų analizė, išanalizuotas teorinių bioetikos koncepcijų prielaidų pagrįstumas. Yra teigiama, kad analizuojamas bioetikos teorijas galima skirstyti pagal jų konstravimo podūdį į homogeniškas ir heterogeniškas. Homogeniškos teorijos tesia konkrečią etinę tradiciją (deontologijos ar utilitarizmo) ir siūlo spręsti bioetines kontroversijas, tokias kaip abortai, eunazija, pagelbstimoji savižudybė taikant konkrečias vertybines nuostatas, būdingas astovaujamai šakai. Heterogeniškos teorijos bando derinti deontologiją su utilitarizmu vienoje koncepcijoje, siekdamos pasiūlyti bioetinių kontroversijų sprendimo būdus priimtinus pliuralistinėje visuomenėje. Disertacijoje teigiama, kad deontologija ir utilitarizmu pagrįstos bioetinės teorijos nepasiūlo aiškių ir priimtinų principų, reikalingų sprendžiant bioetines kontroversijas.

Our health is what we value most. Medicine as a scientific branch has made a great step forward in the last decades. Due to this fact, the demographical structure of inhabitants changed significantly. People reach higher age, we are able to treat diseases, which used to cause death. Nevertheless, we are not anymore in a phase, when financial costs equal treatment needed for all people in Czech Republic. Therefore, the topic Ethics in healthcare is an actual one. The aim of this thesis is the description and following analysis of actual problems in Czech healthcare. There are stated the main problems in Czech healthcare, where the relationship between ethics and economics is mostly visible. The proposal for improving the actual situation, is to extend the Ethical code of Czech Medical Chamber, as the document, which brings the main ethical standards in healthcare. The next proposal for improving the actual situation in Czech healthcare, is to make new ethical codes for different medical specialties. It is also advised to place the Ethical code of Czech Medical Chamber on visible places. The used method is compilation of literature and interviews with professionals and medics for analytical approaches. In this thesis, data from Czech Institution for Health Information and Statistics are used. There are also used articles form healthcare magazines and from general periodicals.

The idea about human’s merit, his worth, unique and oneness comparing him with things or other living creatures – that’s the phylosophy of human dignity in bioethics and biolaw. The aspect of principle of human dignity in bioethics and biolaw is analyzed invoking characters of human and his free will. Solving bioethical and biolaw problems, concepts of the beginning and the end of the life help us to reveal the importance of human dignity principle. In Bioethics and biolaw the principle of human dignity is read as a position which requires recognition of personality and free self-determination. / -.

The diploma thesis deals with the topic of interreligious dialogue and bioethics. The thesis analyses ethical context of specific biomedical issues, namely euthanasia, abortion, assisted reproduction and embryonic stem cells research viewed through the eyes of three world monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam). Sacred books, published documents and further available sources are used to explain the approach of those religions to the bioethical issues (answering the questions of why and how these religions approach the issues). The aim of the theoretical piece of work is to show observed differences and similarities. At the beginning of the thesis there is a general description of the religions in the context of medical ethics. It briefly characterizes religious beliefs and shows documents which these ethical beliefs are based on. The work shows differences but also common features of monotheistic religions. After the religions are discussed in general there is a chapter focused exclusively on interreligious dialogue. The thesis stresses out the importance of an open discussion between religions which leads to unity and reconciliation. Interreligious dialogue represents openness to unknown and willingness to a discussion. It is not possible not to mention a project called Global Ethic by a Swiss professor of theology Hans Küng, who is thoroughly interested in an interreligious dialogue mentioned above. Further chapters of the diploma thesis deal with specific bioethical questions and with the approach of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to these questions. Firstly, the thesis focuses on the issue of euthanasia followed by abortions, assisted reproduction and finally by embryonic stem cells research. The knowledge gained by studying the available sources shows that out of the listed bioethical issues world religions are mostly uniform in the opinion on euthanasia. All the monotheistic religions refer to untouchability and sanctity of human life from its beginning to natural death. It is only God who is a creator and possessor of all creation. That is why euthanasia and assisted suicide is seen negatively and at a distance as an act which does not belong to the hands of man. In 2005 the representatives of the three monotheistic religions in the Czech Republic signed a document in which they express their common negative attitude to the issue of euthanasia. Contrary to the opinion expressing agreement on the end of human life, which is seen by all the religions as the moment of natural death, there is a non-uniform opinion on its beginning. The differences in opinions of Christians, Jews and Muslims on the beginning of human life shape their attitude to abortions, assisted reproductions and also to embryonic stem cells research. In Christianity human life begins at the moment of conception and therefore from ethical point of view it has the most controversial attitude to such medical techniques. The life of the mother is valued in the same way as the life of the fetus. In Judaism an embryo has got lower status than an unborn child, therefore this religion has a slightly more benevolent attitude than Christianity. However, certain boundaries which are discussed below must be followed. In Islam the point crucial for the questions of abortion, assisted reproduction and embryonic cell stems research is when a soul is breathed into a fetus. It is only after this moment when embryo gains the status of a human person and therefore becomes untouchable. Islam and Judaism have a less strict attitude to the bioethical issues (except for euthanasia) than Christianity. The diploma thesis presents a review of opinions and values of certain monotheistic religions on bioethics issues with the concentration on interreligious dialogue. It brings an overview of similarities and differences in ethical opinions.

Animals as Laboratory Objects: Analysis of the Power Discourse PhDr. Tereza Vandrovcová Abstract This dissertation thesis encompasses a critical discourse analysis of the power correlates of expert knowledge and other factors that can hinder the open and unbiased discussion concerning the ethical aspects of the use of nonhuman animals in biomedical experiments. A brief history of "the animal" is first provided before the issue is positioned within the theoretical framework of Animal Studies. The fourth chapter is composed of an overview of the most frequent arguments both for and against the use of animals in biomedicine. The author draws upon her research as she analyzes scientific texts to reveal how laboratory animals are socially constructed as scientific objects and subsequently describes the effects this has on the perception of their moral value. A series of semi-structured interviews with critics and advocates of animal experimentation, such as animal rights activists and laboratory workers who conduct experiments on animals, is the pivotal section of the paper. It is established that lab workers in the sample are convinced of the necessity and legitimacy of current practices, that lab workers have a tendency to suppress animals' individuality when describing their work, that lab workers deem their...

Law, morality and politics in bioethical law making in the Czech Republic The central theme of this master thesis is bioethical law making in the Czech Republic and the influence of morality and politics on this law making. The main aim of the thesis is to find out who and under what circumstances influences whether and how laws are made in eight bioethical topics: abortion, transplantation, embryonic stem cell research, living will, artificial reproduction, sex change, surrogate motherhood and euthanasia. In its first chapter the thesis discusses the interaction of two normative systems - morality and law; and in its second chapter it discusses the relationship between morality and politics and law and politics. The third and fourth chapters reflect lessons learned from the previous chapters and apply its hypotheses to the analysis of the above mentioned eight bioethical topics. The master thesis arrives at a conclusion that Czech bioethical law making is split between liberal and conservative approaches. Furthermore it concludes that the majority of the most prominent and difficult moral dilemmas in bioethical law making have been decided historically and are part of the country's historical moral heritage.

My work is a critical view of a modern principle of personal autonomy and an idea of autonomous man, which stems from philosophy of liberalism. The practice of personal autonomy in bioetics, which takes over the features of this political concept and does not comprise a metaphysical question about a man seems to empty a concept of humanity. My work tries to turn attentation to this problem and show the difficulties of personal autonomy when presented from the secular point of view. I want to offer then the concept of narrative ethics as a vision of supplementing the concept of modern principal bioetics.

Informed consent can be considered, without any doubt, as a central issue in current bioethics and in medical law. The modern relationship between physician and patient has completely changed. Informed consent has dominated the theoretical discussions since the 1970s. Its importance is essential for both medical research and clinical practice. This work focuses mainly on clinical practice, on the relationship between a doctor (or more generally a healthcare professional) and a patient. The institute of informed consent has evolved similarly in medical ethics as well as in the medical law, but there are some significant differences. One of the basic issues of this work is to distinguish both positions and point out differences between legal and ethical aspects of this institute. The thesis sees the fundamental differences in the different purposes of both two key normative systems, in their function, in the values they represented and in the principles they emphasized. While trust and mutuality are essential to informed consent in ethics, the legal institute reflects more the protection of the subjects, especially the protection against abuse, thus providing legal certainty especially for the patient. The ethical level is primarily to ensure respect for the other person so that he or she is...