Describe the biological basis of three methods of contraception and discuss the ethical issues that relate to contraception.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

- Mechanical or Chemical BARRIERS

- Condoms

this is a latex sheet that covers the penis entirely and leaves an empty space at the tip of the penis. Their main use is so as to prevent the passing of veneral diseases or STDs such as AIDS, as well contraception. At the moment of ejaculation the sperm is trapped in the empty space at the tip of the condom. There has been a controversy that the condoms do not prevent AIDS from infecting someone, as the virus is small enough to pass through the latex. Yet in the laboratories where condoms were tested they showed that they were very effective against the aids virus. But two groups say different things, thus showing a controversy. “Condoms have been shown to be effective barriers not only to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but also to herpes simplex, CMV, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrea”. As effective as they are in providing protection they are not understood or accepted in various cultures, thus not used.

- Spermicide

Spermicide come in various forms: cream, gel, foam, film, and suppositories, and most contain nonoxynol 9 (a chemical that kills sperm). They can work alone but work even better when used with another form of contraceptive. In order for spermicide to work best it is necessary to be implanted deep in to the vagina, they work by killing the sperm before they reach the uterus. The deeper the spermicide; the more space it covers and thus the more sperm it kills. The spermicide is logically placed before the sexual intercourse. Some can be effective right away, and ...

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- Spermicide

Hormonal Contraception

the pill (oral contraceptives):

This is the most commonly used contraceptive taken everyday for three weeks, then stopped to allow menstruation and then taken back for three weeks. There are many different ways of making the pill work. It basically works by throwing off the hormonal cycle either by use of progestin (progesterone like hormone) or estrogen. It is associated with a small increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sterilization:

-tubal ligation

this is a sterilization for women, where both the fallopian tubes are cut/burned so as to block any egg trying to reach the uterus. It is very intrusive as the fallopian tubes are spread apart from each other. Because it requires incision it MUST be used with anesthesia.

Vasectomy

This takes from 10-40 minutes (depending where you read the information and the doctor you go to). The scrotum is taken and the vas deferens is located. The main difference in technique is in how the vas is accessed. Once the vas deferens is located an incision is made until the vas deference is exposed. The vas deferens is then cut and blocked off. The only thing that is stopped is the movement of sperm from the testis to the outside world. An ejaculation still takes place, and sex can be carried out normally. Many men perform this operation knowing the chances of reversing the operation are rather slim.

Best for last the contraceptive method of abortion is used when an unwanted pregnancy takes place. Other methods of contraception are ok as they do not kill any life. extremists might say that they are wrong as they still stop the chance for life to come about. The main object of discussion is abortion. Religious groups and others are against it as they say it is a form of murder, whereas others are for it as they say the baby was never wanted anyway and that it’s still too young to be counted as human. Studies show that the fetus’ brain works after a few weeks, and thus it is a being. Abortion can be practiced either mechanically or chemically (using RU-486 and protaglandins). Mechanically one can either use a suction device (for the first three months of pregnancy) or using surgery (later in pregnancy). Abortion is the most wordwide used method of contraception. I personally believe abortion should be allowed if the woman was raped, and if the baby is not too old.

Taken from http://www.caps.ucsf.edu/condtext.html