Introduction
Termination of pregnancy, both natural and non-natural, is defined as an abortion. From a moral point of view, the problem of induced abortion is a challenge. There are convincing arguments both for and against it (Kortsmit et al., 2020). The debate between advocates and opponents of abortion is essentially grounded in the fundamental philosophical concern of the nature and status of the fetus.
Supporters of abortion argue that women have the right to control their own bodies and do not consider the fetus a human being. Meanwhile, those who oppose abortion argue that it is the murder of an unborn child (Kortsmit et al., 2020). Thus, in medical practice, problems arise concerning the ethics of abortion and the determination of those cases when it is permitted. Hence, it is necessary to establish the ethical dilemma of abortion and its impact on medical practice.
Literature Review
The principle of autonomy grants females the right to control their own bodies. However, the concept of human dignity guarantees the protection of the rights of people who are incapable of making their own decisions. According to Kortsmit et al. (2021), 25 million unsafe abortions were performed annually in the world between 2010 and 2014, which is 45% of all abortions (p.2). Moreover, the author determines that the increase in legislation banning abortion worsens the statistics yearly.
Additionally, Ellsworth (2022) specifies that it causes 70,000 maternal deaths each year and leads to another 5 million females suffering from complications during surgery (p.1087). Therefore, doctors are faced with a moral dilemma concerning the appropriateness of abortion. The reason is that supporting the pro-abortion movement contradicts certain moral or religious values of specific people. Meanwhile, support for the anti-abortion movement creates a risk of performing unsafe abortions by non-professional doctors and in poor sanitary conditions.
Proposed Intervention
Consequently, one of the most successful solutions to this problem is to allow abortion on an official level, but with a list of permitted reasons. Currently, such a list also exists, but it primarily addresses women’s and children’s health issues and situations related to conception (Ellsworth, 2022). Therefore, it is essential to adopt an act that would regulate the right to abortion in more detail. For example, it should clearly state that abortion is allowed only with the consent of two partners or their representatives.
Moreover, to resolve the moral dilemma, it is necessary to increase the amount of information in the press and other mass media about medical abortion. This is because it is performed at early stages, an additional guarantee of female health, and reduces the claims of the “against” movement (Allsworth, 2022). As a result, the fetus begins to form before six weeks, and pro-lifers cannot argue that children are being aborted. Accordingly, disseminating information and improving legislation were chosen because they satisfy representatives of different movements.
From the medical point of view, however, the moral dilemma is also less of a concern since medical abortions are performed before the fetal heartbeat starts, and the consistency of the legislation enables parents to make an informed decision. Moreover, additional training and practice are needed to prepare for safe medical abortions, which is why more nursing education is needed (Kortsmit et al., 2020). This will positively influence the medical staff’s technique and enhance the practice of helping females.
Conclusion
Thus, the issue of abortion is prevalent, and there are two distinct points of view. New measures need to be adopted to address the moral dilemma and find a compromise solution for women, advocates, and doctors. Therefore, it is essential to enhance and detail the legislation to ensure that only consensual abortions are performed. It is also crucial to spread information about medical abortion, which is less harmful to humans and affects the fetus before the heartbeat. This will reduce the number of unsafe abortions and improve the health of females.
References
Allsworth, J. E. (2022). Telemedicine, medication abortion, and access after Roe v. Wade.American Journal of Public Health, 112(8), 1086-1088. Web.
Kortsmit, K., Jatlaoui, T. C., Mandel, M. G., Reeves, J. A., Oduyebo, T., Petersen, E., & Whiteman, M. K. (2020). Abortion surveillance—United States, 2018. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 69(7), 1-10. Web.