Shea M C
J Med Ethics. 1987 Jun;13(2):95-7. doi: 10.1136/jme.13.2.95.
This paper examines the metaphysical question of 'ensoulment' in relation to the theory, put forward in an earlier paper, that human life begins when the newly formed body organs and systems of the embryo begin to function as an organised whole, at which stage there is evidence of a change of nature. Although Roman Catholic theology teaches that a human being is a union of physical body and spiritual soul, it is incorrect to interpret this in a dualistic sense. The meaning of 'soul' is considered and the conclusion reached that although both in the religious context and apart from it abortion is difficult to justify at any stage after conception, it does not follow that the use of 'spare' In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) embryos should be rejected. If 'ensoulment' does not occur until the new organism functions as a whole then a decision not to make use of IVF embryos for medical purposes would be a heavy responsibility and not a 'safe' way out.
本文探讨了与一篇早期论文中提出的理论相关的“赋予灵魂”这一形而上学问题。该理论认为，当胚胎新形成的身体器官和系统开始作为一个有组织的整体发挥功能时，人类生命开始，在这个阶段有性质变化的证据。尽管罗马天主教神学教导说人是物质身体和精神灵魂的结合，但从二元论角度来解释这一点是不正确的。本文考虑了“灵魂”的含义，并得出结论：尽管在宗教背景下以及除此之外，怀孕后任何阶段的堕胎都很难被证明是合理的，但这并不意味着应该拒绝使用“备用”的体外受精（IVF）胚胎。如果直到新生物体作为一个整体发挥功能时才发生“赋予灵魂”，那么决定不将IVF胚胎用于医疗目的将是一项重大责任，而不是一个“安全”的出路。
