What's the Scoop on Abortion Ethics
By: Sai K, Dani C, Maya G
Current State of Abortion
Our Stance on Abortion
Reasons Abortion is an Ethical Choice
The process of abortion is not an easy one. The path is rough and full of questions, doubts, and confusion. The doctor in charge of the patient has ethical principles that help the patient with their confusion. The doctors are to apply all ethical principles and virtues to all the patients regardless of their personal, religious and spiritual beliefs. This value system or moral code is fair and equitable. The patient is to make her own decision based on the information she is given. Therefore, she is to be given as much information as possible to avoid any misconceptions. Having your own beliefs on the topic cannot be shown or mentioned because that would give a bias. There should be no sign of bias for the good of the patient. Doctors should not fill the patients mind with things opposing abortion (unless it is facts) because of religious reasons or values. It is not them having the abortion, it is the patient.
It is important to realize that there are some special cases where an abortion can be refused to be done. By law, the doctor or physician cannot object to performing abortion unless there is a threat to the mother's health form the abortion itself. This is a responsible part of medical ethics because it assures that the abortion is not being refused because of personal beliefs but because the health of the patient always comes first.
Facts to back our Claim
- If the Supreme Court decision is read literally, there would appear to be no grounds for a physician to refuse to perform an abortion except for a clear threat to a woman's health from the abortion itself. Yet many, and perhaps most, physicians appear morally opposed to using abortion for sex selection or in those cases where simple postnatal treatment is available to correct a genetic defect.
- There is a difference between killing or destroying something and preventing something from coming into existence. Preventing something coming into existence denies a future of value, as does destruction
- Doctor should assess objectively and meticulously all the available diagnostic and therapeutic options and to implement those that protect and promote the interest of the patient by ensuring a balance of good over harm, so if abortion is to risky they can deny it.