A Problem in Medical Ethics

"Don't help her, Doctor," Spock said. "If her embryo dies, then she should become free of their control."

"Spock!" the woman said. "What are you doing here?" Then she groaned, and started to fall.

McCoy caught the now unconscious Ensign and laid her on a bed. "Dammit, Spock!" he muttered. "I've got to try to save her baby."

"But it's not a human baby, Doctor. It's a dangerous parasite. Surely that makes a difference?"

"No, it doesn't. The oath I took when I became a doctor referred to saving life. It didn't include anything restricting that to human life. Besides, if I do nothing, the Ensign's own life might be at risk. She might haemorrhage."

1. Spock lets McCoy attempt to prevent the miscarriage.
2. "I'm sorry about this, Doctor," Spock says, as he renders McCoy unconscious.

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