As I reflected on my work as a neonatologist, a central issue to which I frequently returned was how we should understand the tiny, fragile beings we were caring for. Should tiny premature babies be regarded as merely potential members of human society? Or should they be granted the rights of full membership of the wider human community, despite their total dependence on others? And what about those at the other end of life who are affected by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease?
In July 2017 I preached at St Andrew the Great Church, in Cambridge, on Christian responses to these and other ethical dilemmas at the beginning and end of life. You can listen to it below: