ASSESSMENT 2

Read the article “Covid-19 vaccine and the issue of abortion”. Is it moral or ethical to use covid-
19 vaccine developed with cells from aborted fetuses? Write a 500-word essay using any of the
following (choose only one):
a.      Emotivism
b.      Cultural relativism, supernaturalism or divine command theory
c.      Moral subjectivism (psychological egoism or ethical egoism).

For the past times, the production and development of vaccines were highly reliant on
certain cell lines that were actually derived from cells coming from fetuses that were preserved
as product of abortion back in the year 1960’s and 1970’s. Meanwhile, modern vaccines right
now like Pfizer and others are not utilizing these fetal cell lines anymore as the generation
advances. Here, other methods were established and the used one in manufacturing these
vaccines is already relying on the intrinsic ribonucleic acid of the virus. The fact that Covid-19
vaccines emerged from tests done in tainted cells lines, it’s use still goes on the idea of it being
a vaccine with relation to vaccines that were made in decades prior to what we have now and
that they were originally facing issue on the use of aborted fetuses for their production.
Addressing the question “Is it moral or ethical to use Covid-19 vaccines developed with
cells from aborted fetuses?”, it is a bad thing for me if incase they are really made from fetuses.
Here, with the application of the ethical principle of emotivism, it is also unethical on my side.
This judgement I had is based on what I feel that fetuses are being used just to make vaccines
and this causes me to feel pity for them. This emotion I feel contributes to how I see this set-up
as morally wrong and inappropriate. The confirmation of my judgement towards the act of
utilizing aborted fetuses for vaccine production is clearly disapproval of this act and it clearly
expresses my stand on this situation.
Meanwhile, in contrast to these vaccines derived from fetal cell lines, those of covid
vaccines that are not utilizing it is ethical and morally good for me in the context of it not using
aborted fetuses. An example in here is the Pfizer. In utilizing this vaccine, it is the fact that it is
actually vital for saving the people in the planet especially that the pandemic is still on its move
affecting the lives of many people with the deadly virus.
On the other side, the idea of emotivism incorporating the use of feelings and emotions
to make judgement of what is morally good or wrong relates to me who uses them as well in all
the things I do. Here, I use my feelings and emotions to enhance myself in this aspect especially
that I will be exposed to patients as a future nurse. My actions in this matter will be my
foundation for my decisions as it is a responsibility I need to deal with in order to provide the
best service to people. Utilizing me feelings and emotion will allow me to better my thinking as
to how to address a certain issue that seems to be morally good or wrong.
Overall, emotivism contributing to ethics and morality through how someone feels about
an issue, concern, or problem is an important thing as it provides sense on our moral actions as
human beings. It also allows us to make use of what is morally good or wrong with our emotions
considering that even if it actually varies to every person, what we feel is still an expression we
can use to make decisions for our actions.