Abstract
Across the globe, many countries, people, and institutions are in a state of dilemma when it comes to dealing with abortion on the grounds of disability. Two groups that are pro-abortion and anti-abortion have different opinions about the act. In the context of societal norms, conducting abortion is against the virtues that hold people together. Removing a fetus from the woman’s womb results in death which is contrary to the morals of the community that is against killing. Terminating pregnancy because of disability indicates a lack of respect for people with different disorders within the community.
Introduction
In the current society and the system of laws globally, abortion has created different opinions from various groups of people, governments, and even health institutions. In some countries, the act of terminating a fetus has been legalized, and women have the right to remove them. Other nations, however, have strong laws that prohibit the practice. This presentation will focus on abortion in relation to disability, drawing the arguments against the idea from the ethical theories.
Definition of Abortion
The exact definition of abortion is not known since various institutions give it their terms. The most common understanding is that it is the termination of pregnancy, or it can be referred to as the removal or expulsion of the fetus from the womb before developing stable human features. During the process of abortion, the conceived child is killed. It is conducted at the early stages of the pregnancy up to about the 20th week. In some conditions, it is performed for medical reasons, while at times, it is a family agreement.
Reasons for Abortion
Generally, there are various reasons for conducting abortion in society. Some of the arguments include saving the mother’s life and supposing the pregnancy would result in health problems or death. Furthermore, it is done to prevent the birth of seriously disabled children, stop underage females from having kids, and avoid siring a baby conceived as a result of incest or rape1. In some countries, there are government policies that allow people to perform an abortion to reduce the population.
Reasons against Abortion
In society, there is an anti-abortion group that is completely against the act of terminating pregnancies. According to those individuals, the practice deprives the potential human being right to life. Furthermore, it results in pain and suffering to the fetus, increasing infanticide in the community. Basing the argument in line with ethics, they argue that abortion is not morally right, and tolerating it may result in more intentional killings. In addition, the group believes that the act reduces the number of future people.
Discussion
The paradox of abortion and disability is confusing, therefore, creating a real dilemma since it tends to have several outcomes. In society, there are many people with diseases and disorders, yet they are surviving. It, therefore, implies that terminating pregnancy based on disability is wrong since people in such conditions would feel unwanted and discriminated against by the rest of the people. Furthermore, all potential human beings have to live; hence securing abortion deprives them of their basic rights.
Arguments in Relation to Social Ethics
In the societal setup, there are moral principles that guide people’s acts. For example, the killing of people is against the norms of the community; therefore, terminating the life of a potential future human is equally wrong. Individuals should be loving and caring, which is contrary to the practice of abortion. Additionally, respect for other human rights is an essential aspect of society. Continuous abortion would make women adopt unwelcoming traits of getting rid of the embryo without constructive reasons. Pregnant women should be supported to maintain their pregnancies so that future generations can be protected.
In a case where abortion is tied to a disability, mothers with different intentions may claim disorders and have their fetus removed from the uterus. According to the consequentialism theory of ethics, pregnancy should only be terminated if doing so would make the mother’s life free from danger3. Allowing the act in society may increase the immoral behaviors of youths, making them conceive at a younger age than going for an abortion. Unfortunately, the disorder has no age limit. It may strike in old age; therefore, people should not get rid of potential humans because of their conditions.
Conclusion
Generally, procuring abortion under claims of disability is not morally right. The act is against the norm of society that encourages life and condemns death. Whenever pregnancy is terminated because of a disorder, the other social group with a similar condition would feel less worthy in the community. If the community tolerates the practice, the normal human virtues would be eroded hence leaving the people without a limited sense of personality.
Reference List
Clifton S. (2021). Disability and the Complexity of Choice in the Ethics of Abortion and Voluntary Euthanasia. In The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine (Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 431-450). US: Oxford University Press.
Heyer K. (2018). Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights: Challenging “Genetic Genocide”. In Studies in Law, Politics, and Society. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Slote MA. (2020). Common-sense morality and consequentialism. Routledge.