The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Discussions in Bioethics: Who Should Decide?

1985 14 min
Leaving soon

One of a series of short, open-ended dramas designed to stimulate discussion of values and ethics in relation to modern medical technology. This film deals with questions arising from advances in pre-natal diagnosis. Joanne, a victim of spina bifida, discovers that her unborn child has the same disease. A decision whether to terminate the pregnancy must be reached quickly. When her husband says that all he ever wanted was "a normal baby," Joanne counters with "What is normal?"

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Discussions in Bioethics: Who Should Decide?

Details

One of a series of short, open-ended dramas designed to stimulate discussion of values and ethics in relation to modern medical technology. This film deals with questions arising from advances in pre-natal diagnosis. Joanne, a victim of spina bifida, discovers that her unborn child has the same disease. A decision whether to terminate the pregnancy must be reached quickly. When her husband says that all he ever wanted was "a normal baby," Joanne counters with "What is normal?"

  • director
    Beverly Shaffer
  • producer
    Wolf Koenig
  • executive producer
    Andy Thomson
  • script
    Jefferson Lewis
  • camera
    Andy Kitzanuk
  • sound
    Yves Gendron
  • editing
    Ginny Stikeman
  • sound editing
    Wojtek Klis
  • re-recording
    Jean-Pierre Joutel
  • cast
    Jacqueline Challenger
    Joanna Noyes
    Patricia Phillips
    Chuck Shamata

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 15 to 17
Study Guide
School subjects
Abortion is the main focus of this short film, which examines the issue of the right to life (or to a “normal” life). A couple must make a painful decision about whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Beyond this specific example, you could describe the pro-life and pro-choice debate that divides some societies.
Discussions in Bioethics: Who Should Decide?
Purchase options
Also available